Darbhanga / Patna : Darbhanga Airport is set to see a significant increase in flight operations, with 22 daily flights scheduled under the new summer timetable released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The revised schedule, effective from March 30 to October 25, introduces new routes and increased frequency, catering to growing passenger demand.
Akasa Air Secures Key Delhi Route
A notable change in the summer schedule is the introduction of Akasa Air on the Delhi route, with four daily flights. Additionally, Akasa will operate two flights on the Mumbai route, contributing a total of six flights from Darbhanga each day. SpiceJet and IndiGo will continue to provide extensive services, with eight flights each covering key destinations. SpiceJet will maintain four flights to Delhi and four flights to Mumbai and Bengaluru, while IndiGo will operate flights to Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. However, IndiGo’s service on the Mumbai route will be limited to Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, while other routes will have daily flights.
Delhi Route to Witness Maximum Traffic
With increasing demand on the Darbhanga-Delhi route, all three airlines—SpiceJet, IndiGo, and Akasa—have secured slots. SpiceJet and Akasa will operate four flights each, while IndiGo has been granted two slots. This brings the total number of flights on the Delhi route to 10 per day. Similarly, six flights will operate on the Mumbai route, including services from SpiceJet, Akasa, and IndiGo. Additional flights will connect Darbhanga to Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Hyderabad.
Limited Apron Capacity Remains a Challenge
Despite the increase in flight operations, Darbhanga Airport continues to face constraints with only two aprons available for aircraft parking. These aprons can accommodate two planes at a time, with a turnaround time of 30 minutes to an hour for disembarkation and preparation for the next flight.
Air India Express and Star Airlines Not Included
Contrary to recent speculation, Air India Express and Star Airlines have not been included in the summer schedule. The DGCA has not granted permission for these airlines to operate from Darbhanga, putting to rest reports suggesting otherwise.
Rising Passenger Numbers Expected
Since the launch of air services under the UDAN scheme on November 8, 2020, passenger traffic at Darbhanga has steadily increased. With Akasa Air set to begin operations on the Delhi route from April 4, further growth in passenger numbers is anticipated. Bookings for Akasa’s flights have already commenced, though there has been no official update on the airline’s plans for additional routes.
Flight Schedule Overview
The summer schedule outlines the arrival and departure times of flights from major cities. Notable timings include:
- SpiceJet (Mumbai): Arrival at 9:00 AM, departure at 9:30 AM
- Akasa (Mumbai): Arrival at 10:15 AM, departure at 10:50 AM
- Akasa (Delhi): Arrival at 10:55 AM, departure at 11:30 AM
- IndiGo (Mumbai): Arrival at 11:20 AM, departure at 11:55 AM
- IndiGo (Kolkata): Arrival at 11:55 AM, departure at 12:25 PM
- SpiceJet (Delhi): Arrival at 12:15 PM, departure at 12:50 PM
- SpiceJet (Bengaluru): Arrival at 12:50 PM, departure at 1:30 PM
- Akasa (Delhi): Arrival at 1:20 PM, departure at 2:00 PM
- IndiGo (Hyderabad): Arrival at 2:20 PM, departure at 3:00 PM
- SpiceJet (Delhi): Arrival at 3:45 PM, departure at 4:20 PM
- IndiGo (Delhi): Arrival at 4:00 PM, departure at 4:35 PM
