Commercial Flights from Gondia Halt Operations Amid Rising Fuel Costs Nagpur: Two commercial airlines that operated flights from Gondia’s Birsi airport, a key hub in the constituency of former civil aviation minister Praful Patel, have suspended operations indefinitely. The decision comes as rising aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices have made it increasingly difficult for airlines to sustain services to smaller cities like Gondia. Industry sources indicate that the financial strain caused by high ATF costs has forced the carriers to halt their operations until further notice. The affected airlines, IndiGo and Star Air, previously operated one flight each daily, connecting Gondia to Hyderabad and Indore, respectively. Both carriers cited “operational” challenges as the reason for the suspension, though officials suggest the primary factor is the escalating fuel expenses. A source noted that the flights had been running at full capacity, but the financial burden has become unsustainable. The airlines have already submitted formal complaints to the government, highlighting the impact of ATF pricing on regional connectivity. Gondia airport, which began operations in 2009, initially served the National Flight Training Institute (NFTI), a joint venture between Canada’s CAE Inc and the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Commercial flights were only introduced in 2023, marking a significant milestone for the region. AAI officials have expressed hope that the situation will improve, with plans to draft an open letter inviting airlines to resume operations from Gondia. The airport’s infrastructure, including a 2,600-meter runway, night landing facilities, and instrument landing systems, is considered adequate for commercial flights.#indi_go #praful_patel #star_air #gondia_airport #nfti
