TBM Staff - Mumbai
IndiGo announced on Monday its plan to enhance air connectivity to Lakshadweep by introducing a direct flight between Bengaluru and Agatti island, effective from March 31. With the commencement of services between Bengaluru and Agatti, IndiGo aims to bolster accessibility to the region, making Agatti the airline’s 88th domestic and 121st overall destination.
Utilising ATR aircraft with approximately 78 seats, IndiGo seeks to cater to travellers’ needs for convenient and efficient travel between Bengaluru and Agatti. The airline highlighted Agatti’s significance as the virtual gateway to Lakshadweep, attracting enthusiasts interested in deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, sailing, skiing, and kayaking.
Moreover, Agatti serves as an ideal starting point for exploring the tranquil and uninhabited isles of Bangaram, Pitti, Thinnakara, Parali-I, and Parali-II, situated in close proximity.
Lakshadweep gained prominence following PM Narendra Modi’s visit to the island, where he promoted it as a promising tourist destination for Indian travellers. However, derogatory remarks made by three Maldivian Deputy Ministers against PM Modi sparked outrage among certain sections of the Indian population, prompting a ‘#BoycottMaldives’ campaign on various online platforms.
Earlier this year in January, Alliance Air, the sole Indian airline operating flights to Lakshadweep, initiated additional flights on the Kochi-Agatti-Kochi route. These supplementary flights, scheduled for Sundays and Wednesdays, were introduced to meet the growing demand for travel to and from Lakshadweep, further enhancing connectivity to the picturesque archipelago.
