Ukhrul, November 4: Amid the outrage over airfare inequality of flight operations from Imphal, the capital city of Manipur, Air India Express has decided to cap fares for the Imphal–Guwahati sector at Rs 6000 following the Governor of Manipur’s communication to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA).
In an X post, the Raj Bhavan Manipur informed that Air India Express will soon operate two additional daily flights — one to Guwahati and another to Kolkata.
It may be mentioned that the Governor of Manipur had written to Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Union Minister of Civil Aviation, seeking urgent intervention to restore and enhance flight connectivity from Imphal.
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In its letter, the Governor had stressed that reliable air connectivity is the state’s lifeline in the absence of rail links
The Governor mentioned that the drastic reduction in flight connectivity from Imphal to Guwahati and Kolkata has severely affected mobility and caused hardship to the people of Manipur.
“Until recently, there were five daily flights operating between Imphal and Guwahati. This number has now been reduced to only two, with no early morning and no late evening departure options. Similarly, flights to Kolkata have dropped from five to just two, operating only at 9:15 AM and 11:55 AM, with no evening connectivity available,” the letter mentioned.
The Governor highlighted the severe hardships faced by the people in the absence of railway connectivity, unreliable motorable roads while adding that air travel is the only dependable mode of long-distance transportation for residents, students and patients.
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The letter further mentioned that winter season is a critical travel period for Manipur.
“Students studying outside the state return home during their academic break, and many residents seek medical consultations in metropolitan cities. With reduced flights, not only availability is compromised, but the fares have surged to exorbitant levels, making travel unaffordable and logistically unfeasible for many. This disruption in the demand-supply chain is leading to very high airfares and a breakdown in essential connectivity. If not addressed urgently, it will create resentment among the people of the State,” it added.
Recently, a surge in the airfare from Imphal to Guwahati cost more than an air ticket from Imphal to Delhi.
The Imphal to Delhi flights generally take two hours and 45 minutes to hours while the flight from Imphal to Guwahati takes 35-45 minutes. However, an air ticket from Imphal to Guwahati on November 3 reportedly cost Rs 14,646 while Imphal to Delhi airfare on the same day was priced at Rs 11,537. This has sparked outrage among the passengers and netizens alike.