(a) whether the Government has discontinued the flight operations from Nanded airport, Maharashtra ;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government proposes to re-start the flight operations at the said airport, particularly in the wake of demand from large number of Sikh pilgrims visiting daily the Hazur Sahib Gurdwara;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) if not the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION ( SHRI PRAFUL PATEL )
(a) and (b): Air India operated a total of 7 flights with A319 aircraft on the Amritsar-Delhi-Nanded route during the period 29th October to 4th November, 2008 to enable Sikh pilgrims to travel to/from Nanded to attend the tricentenary celebrations.
(c), (d) and (e): Currently Air India does not have any spare capacity available to start new services to Nanded.