TruJet (TRJ, Hyderabad International) has launched the first flight in nine years for India's Vidyanagar airport, connecting Karnataka's Ballari district with Hyderabad International using ATR72-500 equipment. The flights are offered under India's regional connectivity scheme, known as UDAN.
Vidyanagar airport was originally constructed to service the local steel manufacturer, JSW Steel, but officially opened to commercial operations in 2006. Both Air Deccan (2003) (Bengaluru International) and Kingfisher Airlines (Mumbai International) previously offered flights from the airport, but these were each discontinued. However, a spokesman for the official booking agent, Matrix Holidays, has told the Hindu Times that so far demand is good for the re-established route.
"The bookings for Vidyanagar-Hyderabad have been very encouraging," the spokesman said. "As of now around 250 people have booked their seats."
TruJet has also won an UDAN allocation to provide flights from Vidyanagar to Bengaluru International. The Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Jayant Sinha, said at the launch that flights to Goa Dabolim and Mumbai International would be offered soon.
