(a) whether the Dornier Aircraft being operated from Kochi to Agathi (Lakshadweep) was discontinued since 28th May, 2008 and the passengers and postal materials were stranded at Kochi and Agathi;
(b) if so, the details and reasons for suspending air services; and
(c) the time by which the services are expected to be resumed?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION ( SHRI PRAFUL PATEL )
(a): Yes, Sir. The services on the Kochi-Agathi route were discontinued by National Aviation Company of India Limited effective 30.5.2008. Normally NACIL facilitates stranded passengers by assisting them getting reservations on alternate flights operated by other airlilnes and offers full refund. Since the route is also served by Kingfisher Airlines, no passenger of cancelled NACIL flights were stranded at Kochi and Agathi.
(b) and (c): The services on Kochi-Agathi route were discontinued by NACIL since the Dorner Aircraft operating on this route have been phased out. The other type of aircraft in NACIL`s jet fleet cannot operate to Agathi in view of the airfield constraints.