Three flight services were launched between Thoothukudi and Chennai on Thursday.
With the addition of these new flights, the number of aircraft operated from the Thoothukudi airport has risen to six. The flight services start from Thoothukudi at 7.55 a.m., 12.35 a.m. and 4.40 p.m., and reach Chennai at 9.30 a.m., 2.15p.m. and 6.15 p.m. respectively.
The flights are scheduled to take off from Chennai at 5.50 a.m., 10.25 a.m., 2.40 p.m. and reach here at 7.30 a.m., 12.05 p.m., 4.20 p.m. respectively.
Airport Director N. Subramanian said that the new flights are being launched as airline companies see great potential. “The airport caters to passengers from Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Kanniyakumari districts. As flight tickets cost around ₹3,000, it would attract passengers taking second class (seats in trains) and omni buses,” he said.
Tuticorin SIPCOT Industrialists Association president PSSK Raja Sankaralingam welcomed the move. “This would help people from all southern districts,” he said.
Earlier, only Spicejet was operating a couple of services between Thoothukudi and Chennai. From July 1 onwards, the company launched another service to Bengaluru. The inaugural flight landed at 7.09 a.m. with 61 passengers. Water salute from fire tenders welcomed the flight.
Collector Sandeep Nanduri gave tickets to passengers of the second flight.
Superintendent of Police Murali Rambha and Airport Manager S. Jeyaraman were present.