An MDLR flight takes off from Jamshepur airport. Picture by Bhola Prasad

Jamshedpur, April 15: On the first day of the Bengali New Year, MDLR Airlines launched its maiden flight connecting Jamshedpur to New Delhi, Calcutta and Ranchi.

MDLR is India’s first airline service to offer only vegetarian food on board. It launched its inaugural state flight from Chandigarh flying to New Delhi, then Ranchi and finally touching Jamshedpur runway around 12.10pm.

The maiden flight, with a capacity to carry 70 passengers, saw only 38 people. What was lacking in numbers, was more than made up in terms of enthusiasm. “Travelling on an inaugural flight was fantastic. I liked the hospitality and the food served on board. The fares are competitive. I believe that the flight would definitely throw a challenge to Kingfisher that operates a flight between Calcutta and Jamshedpur,” said Sanjay Choudhry, the chief of corporate communications of Tata Steel.

Choudhry boarded the aircraft at New Delhi.

The chief executive officer of MDLR Airlines, Koustav M. Dhar, who was here today, said the flight was introduced keeping in mind the demand of corporate representatives for a direct flight to the national capital.

“There are many Jamshedpur businessmen who have to travel to Ranchi before they can arrive in New Delhi. But, now they can avoid the double trip and fly directly to New Delhi,” said Dhar.

For the first few months, the flight would operate six days a week (except Sundays) and would reach New Delhi in three hours flat. For Ranchi and Calcutta, the flight would take 20 minutes. To travelling to Calcutta and Ranchi, passengers will have to pay Rs 1,200, while minimum fare for New Delhi is Rs 3,500.

Dhar said a 70-seater Avro RJ aircraft suitable for smaller runways have been pressed into service on this route beginning from Chandigarh-via-New Delhi, then to Ranchi andfinallt Jamshedpur from where it would take off to Calcutta.

Bookings for the flight began 10 days ago.

Earlier, the private airline had hoped to start its service from March 23, but postponed due to technical reasons.

The services will operate under two categories — business and economy. Six seats have been earmarked for the business category, while the rest are for economy class.

Dhar said the private airlines would induct three more aircraft for services by November 2009. The private airline has also agreed to tie-up with Fortune Hotel Centre Point that will take care of the promotional part.