Patna: Spirit Air has unveiled an ambitious operational roadmap for Bihar under the central government’s UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, aiming to boost regional air connectivity, cargo transport, and employment opportunities in the state.
The airline, founded by a team of former Air India executives and headquartered in Bengaluru, will soon commence passenger and cargo operations from several upcoming airports in Bihar, including Birpur, Saharsa, Munger, Madhubani, Muzaffarpur, Raxaul, Valmiki Nagar, and Bihta.
In the initial phase, flights will connect these locations to Varanasi and Bihta, with onward links to major Indian metros such as Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai through partner carriers. Routes from Bihta will also connect to Jamshedpur and Bokaro.
A second phase will introduce international routes linking Bihar to Nepal, with flights from Muzaffarpur, Birpur, Valmiki Nagar, and Bihta to Kathmandu, Janakpur, Rajbiraj, Biratnagar, and Bhairahawa.
Integrated door-to-door service
In a first-of-its-kind initiative, Spirit Air will partner with DTDS Travel & Tour Planner Pvt. Ltd. to offer integrated door-to-door travel. Passengers can book end-to-end travel — including home pickup, airport transfers, flight, and final drop-off — through a single online platform for a nominal surcharge. The service aims to enhance convenience, especially for families, elderly travellers, tourists, and professionals.
Cargo operations to aid farmers and MSMEs
Spirit Air also announced “Hawai-Cargo,” a dedicated logistics arm developed in partnership with DTDS Logistics Pvt. Ltd. The cargo service will focus on transporting perishable goods, mail, and high-value items, with plans to connect regional hubs to Delhi, Kolkata, and international markets via Kathmandu.
The cargo network promises priority access and discounted rates for small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), offering doorstep pickup and delivery to enable fast farm-to-market delivery and support Bihar’s agri-value chain and rural economy.
Employment and skill development
In a major push for employment generation, Spirit Air plans to recruit over 70 pilots by 2026. The airline will offer letters of intent (LOIs) for captain roles, along with a financing model covering 50% of training costs and the rest through collateral-free educational loans. Selected candidates will be guaranteed job placements with an annual salary of Rs 30–36 lakh.
Additional roles will be created in airport security, logistics, and tourism services, with DTDS Group handling recruitment and training for various support functions.
“This initiative by Spirit Air is not just about air travel—it’s about unlocking economic potential, connecting rural regions, and building a sustainable, inclusive growth model for Bihar,” the company stated.
