Gaya/Patna: Direct air connectivity between Gayaji Airport and Bangkok is set to begin on October 26, with IndiGo launching a twice-weekly service expected to give a boost to Buddhist tourism in Bihar.
The service will be operated using an Airbus A320 on Mondays and Thursdays. Bookings for IndiGo flights 6E 1083 and 6E 1084 have opened.
Direct flights to cut travel time
The new service will allow travellers from Bihar and neighbouring states to reach Bangkok without having to take connecting flights through Delhi, Kolkata or Mumbai.
The direct journey is expected to take around three hours and five minutes, compared with the 10 to 12 hours typically required when travelling through a connecting airport.
The direct service is also expected to reduce additional travel and transit expenses, which could previously add up to Rs 20,000.
Flight timings
According to the schedule provided, flight 6E 1084 will depart Bangkok at 10.15am and arrive at Gayaji at 12.15pm.
Flight 6E 1083 will then depart Gayaji at 1.15pm and reach Bangkok at 4.35pm.
The introductory fare for the Gayaji-Bangkok flight on October 26 has been set at Rs 40,608.
Boost for Bodh Gaya tourism
The direct connection is expected to particularly benefit foreign tourists and Buddhist pilgrims visiting Bodh Gaya, one of the world’s major Buddhist pilgrimage destinations.
It will also provide travellers from Bihar, Jharkhand and neighbouring states with more convenient access to Bangkok.
The new route is expected to strengthen air links between Bodh Gaya and major Buddhist tourism destinations in Southeast Asia, while improving the international connectivity of Gayaji Airport.
At present, Gayaji has direct air services to destinations including Delhi and Kolkata. The absence of a direct Bangkok connection had required travellers to first reach one of these cities before taking a connecting flight to Thailand.
