Forest fire disrupts Pantnagar air service via Pithoragarh

RUDRAPUR: The flight services to Pantnagar via Pithoragarh were suspended due to low visibility caused by a forest fire in the Kumaon region for the past five days.

The disruption is attributed to reduced visibility on the runway at Naini Saini Airport in Pithoragarh, with air quality levels plummeting to a mere 1,200 to 1,500 metres. To ensure a safe landing, a minimum visibility of 3,000 metres is required.

Consequently, Fly Big, the company managing air service, ceased operations on Friday until visibility improves. Sumit Saxena, airport director, said, “Air service will resume promptly once forest fire is under control.”

Notably, Fly Big, the air service operating under regional UDAN scheme, commenced regular flights on Feb 26, after its commercial launch on Feb 2. The service, which covers the route between Dehradun-Pithoragarh-Pantnagar, has been a boon to passengers, with fares as low as Rs 999 (plus taxes) for the Pantnagar-Pithoragarh leg, a journey of 50 minutes.

The air service, facilitated by Fly Big using a 19-seater aircraft, operates under a unique fare structure where 60% of the ticket fare is borne by passengers, while remaining 40% is subsidised by state govt.