Tripura Minister Sushanta Chowdhury has urged the Centre to intervene over the withdrawal and reduction of flight services from Maharaja Bir Bikram (MBB) Airport, Agartala. He said shrinking connectivity has pushed up airfares on key routes and created financial and travel difficulties for passengers across the state.
3 Key Takeaways
- Tripura has sought Centre’s intervention over reduced and withdrawn flight services from Agartala.
- Several routes face cuts or withdrawal, including Agartala-Guwahati, Agartala-Hyderabad and Agartala-Chennai.
- Airfares have surged on key routes, including Agartala-Kolkata, Agartala-Delhi and Agartala-Bengaluru.
Agartala, August 11: State Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Tourism and Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury has sought urgent intervention from the Centre over the reduction and proposed withdrawal of flight services from Maharaja Bir Bikram (MBB) Airport in Agartala.
In a letter to Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu, Chowdhury said declining flight availability has caused serious inconvenience to passengers. He also flagged a sharp increase in airfares on several important routes connecting Tripura with major cities.
Multiple Flight Services Facing Cuts
Chowdhury said several airlines have either withdrawn, reduced or proposed to reduce services from Agartala in recent months.
The minister specifically mentioned Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo and Akasa Air.
According to the letter, Air India has reduced services and is likely to discontinue its Agartala-Guwahati operation from October 22.
Air India Express has also withdrawn or reduced services on important routes. The Agartala-Bagdogra-Bengaluru service has reportedly been proposed for withdrawal from October 1.
IndiGo, meanwhile, is scheduled to withdraw its direct Agartala-Hyderabad service from October 22.
The minister also referred to the earlier withdrawal of services on the Agartala-Shillong, Agartala-Aizawl and direct Agartala-Chennai routes.
Airfares Rise on Key Agartala Routes
Chowdhury said the flight cuts have come at a time when demand for air connectivity from Agartala is increasing.
The reduction in available flights has affected connectivity between Tripura and major cities across the country. It has also contributed to a sharp rise in airfares.
The minister highlighted the Agartala-Kolkata, Agartala-Delhi, Agartala-Guwahati and Agartala-Bengaluru sectors as particularly affected routes.
Higher fares are creating an additional financial burden for passengers, he said.
The impact is especially significant for people who need to travel outside Tripura for medical treatment, higher education, business, official work and other urgent purposes.
Minister Seeks Restoration of Withdrawn Services
Chowdhury urged the Union Civil Aviation Ministry to take up the matter with the concerned airlines.
He requested the Centre to explore all possible measures to restore withdrawn flight services from Agartala.
He also sought steps to retain existing services and increase capacity on routes with high passenger demand.
The minister stressed that Tripura needs reliable and affordable air connectivity. He said further reduction in services could increase passenger inconvenience and intensify public concern.
Call for Affordable Air Connectivity
Chowdhury also asked the Centre to take appropriate measures to control the surge in airfares.
For Tripura, air travel plays an important role in connecting the landlocked state with major business, education, healthcare and administrative centres.
Agartala’s MBB Airport serves as the state’s main aviation gateway. Therefore, changes in flight schedules can have a direct impact on passengers travelling beyond the state.
The minister said stronger connectivity and affordable fares are essential for the people of Tripura.
His letter seeks a coordinated response from the Civil Aviation Ministry and airlines to address the reduction in Agartala flight services, restore important routes and expand capacity where passenger demand remains high.
The appeal also comes as Tripura continues to seek stronger transport links with other parts of India. For passengers, the immediate concerns remain clear: fewer flight options, higher fares and limited direct connectivity to several important destinations.
