In response to a surge in passenger demand for travel to Lakshadweep, Alliance Air, the sole Bharat airline serving the island, has announced the commencement of additional flights on the Kochi-Agatti-Kochi route. Lakshadweep, Bharat’s smallest Union Territory, has gained attention following Prime Minister Modi’s visit where he shared picturesque images, promoting the potential for beach tourism in the island cluster.
The additional flights, operating twice a week on Sundays and Wednesdays, aim to accommodate the growing number of travelers eager to explore Lakshadweep. Alliance Air currently operates 70-seater aircraft, serving the route daily, and reports suggest that all tickets until March have been sold out, emphasizing the high demand.
An official from Alliance Air mentioned, “We are receiving numerous queries via phone and social media for tickets. Responding to the substantial demand, an extra flight has been introduced, and if necessary, the frequency of flights will be further increased.”
In a recent Annual General Meeting, SpiceJet’s CEO, Ajay Singh, revealed that the airline holds exclusive rights under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) for Lakshadweep and intends to launch flights to the destination soon. However, travel portals have indicated a record number of queries for Lakshadweep, highlighting the widespread interest in the Union Territory.
The heightened interest in Lakshadweep comes against the backdrop of a diplomatic row between India and the Maldives. The tension escalated when Maldivian Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Mariyam Shiuna, made a disrespectful reference to PM Modi’s visit in a now-deleted social media post. This led to a surge of anger on social media platforms, with the hashtag #BoycottMaldives gaining traction, and notable figures from the Indian film industry and celebrities rallying in support of promoting beach tourism in Lakshadweep.
As the situation unfolds, the addition of flights by Alliance Air reflects the dynamic response to increased interest in Lakshadweep, with the potential for further developments in air connectivity to this scenic island destination.
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