Air Deccan to connect more eastern cities

Kolkata, Oct 13: Low cost carrier Air Deccan would shortly launch flights to Jamshedpur, Bodh-Gaya, Patna and Leelabari from here.

The Kolkata-Jamshedpur flight would be launched in a month's time, Airlines Managing Director Capt G R Gopinath said during a web-conference here today.

"We will also launch flights between Kolkata-Bodh Gaya, Kolkata-Patna and Kolkata-Guwahati-Leelabari," Capt Gopinath said.

Air Deccan operates 38 aircraft from Kolkata and had been calling for a hanger in the NSCBI airport.

"The problems faced by the passengers will be dealt with in 3-6 months once the hanger was handed over by the airport authorities," he said.

Capt Gopinath also called setting up of low cost air terminals so that air connectivity could be increased with the remote areas.

He said he had discussions with Left leader Nilotpal Basu over setting up of low cost air terminals and he would meet West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on the issue.

The air carrier today announced an innovative financial deal to yield Rs 450 crore over the 15 months.

Air Deccan has assigned its future aircraft supply contract in favour of a special purpose company (SPC) funded by international banks Investec Bank of UK and HSH Nord Bank AG of Germany.

The company had earlier placed orders with Airbus Industries and IAE (Rolls Royce and Pratt&Whitney) for supply of 60 Airbus A 320 aircraft to be delivered in seven years.

UNI