Mail News Service
Ranchi: Travelers from Ranchi eagerly awaiting direct flight services to Goa and Jaipur will need to exercise patience, as the December launch has been postponed due to aircraft unavailability. Despite receiving approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Indigo has yet to confirm flight allocation for these routes.
“We have secured slots for direct flights to Goa and Jaipur in the winter schedule,” said Birsa Munda Airport Director RR Maurya. “However, without confirmation from the airline regarding aircraft availability, we cannot proceed with scheduling the services.”
Direct flights to Goa and Jaipur have been in high demand. These routes promise to save travelers significant time and money. Currently, flights from Ranchi to Jaipur take 7-14 hours, with layovers in cities like Kolkata, Delhi, and Mumbai. Similarly, reaching Goa takes 5-12 hours via stopovers.
With direct flights, travel times are expected to drop to just 2-3 hours, significantly easing the journey for passengers. “This service will particularly benefit women and families by saving time and reducing travel fatigue,” an airport official noted.
Last year, a direct flight from Ranchi to Goa was introduced but discontinued shortly after due to low passenger turnout. This time, authorities are optimistic about a more affordable fare structure attracting more travelers. The revised pricing is expected to make the route more accessible.
“We anticipate flight confirmations by January, and the lower fares will encourage more passengers to use the service,” a representative from the airport authority stated.
The introduction of direct flights will not only save hours of travel but also lower costs for passengers. Currently, fares for indirect flights to Jaipur and Goa range between ₹14,000 and ₹30,000. Direct flights are expected to offer competitive pricing.
Until then, Ranchi residents await further updates, hopeful that the direct connections to Goa and Jaipur will soon become a reality, simplifying travel and boosting tourism.
