As part of its strategy to connect emerging cities to key destinations across the country and beyond, Air India Express commenced operations from Patna today, launching three inaugural flights in a single day—to Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, and Hyderabad. Bengaluru, often regarded as India’s ‘Silicon Valley’ and a hub for technology and innovation; Bhubaneswar, the ‘Temple City’ and an emerging centre for tourism and economic development; and Hyderabad, the ‘City of Pearls’ and a leading IT and pharmaceutical hub, are now directly connected to Patna by Air India Express, paving the way for enhanced economic activity and greater opportunities for travellers and businesses alike.
A celebratory event was held at Patna Airport to mark the occasion, with the inaugural flights taking off amidst much enthusiasm. The celebration was graced by senior officials of the Airport Authority of India, Air India Express, and other key stakeholders from the Jay Prakash Narayan Airport, Patna.
To commemorate the event, special boarding passes were presented to the first guests on the inaugural flights, symbolising the airline’s commitment to creating memorable travel experiences.
Air India Express is in a phase of rapid network expansion, supported by its growing fleet, which is on the cusp of reaching the 100-aircraft milestone. The airline recently surpassed the 50-destination mark, adding Dimapur, Dibrugarh, Sri Vijay Puram (Port Blair), Jammu, and now Patna to its domestic network, alongside Bangkok and Phuket on the international front. This growth has enabled a 30% increase in its winter schedule compared to last year, with the airline now operating more than 400 daily flights, up from over 325 during the same period last year.