Jamshedpur : The air connectivity in Jamshedpur has hit rough weather again. Bangalore- based DTDS Travel and Tour Planner Limited, which was offering twice a day flights each day (leaving Sunday) between Jamshedpur and Kolkata has cancelled its flight from Saturday citing poor visibility.
The communiqu� in this regard has been sent to both Director General Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Air Traffic Control (ATC) unit at Jamshedpur.
The airline in association with Bangalore based Spirit Air was offering the eight-seater aircraft from the Sonari Airport Officials of DTDS claimed that operation of flights could be risky in the foggy conditions especially in an airport at Jamshedpur which lacks aids to assist landings in poor visibility.
�We cannot take risk as the visibility near the airport is very poor. Moreover, the airport lacks several aids required for safe landing have decided to discontinue the flight service for the time being. We have informed the concerned authorities and would be resuming the flight by mid-January when weather condition improves,� said a senior official.
The official said that airports like that in Kolkata where there are proper navigational aids flights services can be operated as there is visibility even in adverse weather conditions.
Jamshedpur debuted on the country�s air map in 2007 with Air Deccan linking the city to Calcutta, but the service ended soon. Then, MDLR Kingfisher resumed connectivity in 2009, but only for a few months. On August 17, 2010, Deccan Charters hired a turboprop 19-seater aircraft but services ended in February 2011. On January 30, 2012 DTDS in association with Spirit Air started its nine seater flight for Jamshedpur-Kolkata.
This was the second air service for Kolkata. Northeast Shuttles services started in February, however stopped its flight services from the city in August 2012.
DTDS Travel and Tour Planner is a pioneer in ‘Per Seat’ Air Charter Services in India and services clients from its offices in Kolkata, Bangalore, Rourkela, Jamshedpur.
Meanwhile, the passengers of the city have expressed concerned over the discontinuation of the service.
“Passengers are the worst sufferers. Those who are coming to attend marriage functions, seeking admission in colleges and appearing in interviews are regularly facing problems due to cancelation . The passengers are left to fend for themselves, which is a pathetic situation ,” said Nalin Modi a businessman.
Bharat Vasani, secretary, Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that the people of the city were immensely benefitted with air service and resulted in the city embarking on a renewed phase of growth. I wish the service is resumed soon�.