Ranchi, Jan. 4: Kingfisher Airlines today launched direct flights on the Ranchi-Raipur and Calcutta-Patna sectors. The flights will be operated with ATR aircraft.

While the Ranchi-Raipur flights would be available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the Calcutta-Patna flights are daily.

The flight would take off at 7.30am from Birsa Munda Airport and reach Raipur at 9am. The return flight from Raipur to Ranchi will take off at 10.20am and reach here at 11.45am.

The Calcutta-Patna flight service on the other hand, will take off from Calcutta at 6.25pm and arrive in Patna at 7.55pm. The return flight from Patna will take off at 8.20pm and reach Calcutta at 10pm.

“With these new flights, Kingfisher has become the only airline to offer direct air connectivity between Ranchi and Raipur and Patna and Calcutta,” said Prakash Mirpuri, vice president, corporate communications of Kingfisher Airlines Limited. He expressed the hope that the new flights would offer businessmen and leisure travellers a convenient option.

The flights on the Calcutta-Patna and Ranchi-Raipur routes are being operated as Kingfisher Red Service. Despite being a low cost option, passengers would be offered food on board and choice of beverage as well as reading material.

Till date, there were no direct flights between Ranchi and Raipur.