Durgapur, West Bengal: Speculations come to an end as the much-awaited Andal–Varanasi flight service is set to begin this month.
According to the authorities at Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport, the new service will commence on October 28. IndiGo Airlines will operate flights on this route three days a week — Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
As per airport sources, the flight will depart from Andal (Durgapur) at 1:45 PM and arrive in Varanasi at 3:00 PM. The return flight will leave Varanasi at 3:25 PM and reach Durgapur by 5:00 PM.
Airport Director Kailash Mondal said, “Initially, the direct flight service will be available three times a week. The service will start from October 28. At present, Andal Airport operates regular flights to Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Bhubaneswar, Bagdogra, and Guwahati.”
In August, a meeting was held under the leadership of Asansol MP Shatrughan Sinha, attended by Paschim Bardhaman District Magistrate Ponnambalam S and Airport Director Kailash Mondal. The meeting focused on improving the airport’s infrastructure, future development plans, and security systems, along with discussions on introducing new flight routes.
It was decided during that meeting that the Varanasi flight service would begin in October. Plans are also being considered to start direct flights from Andal to Lucknow and Jaipur in the near future.