Jamshedpur airport in Sonari. Pix: Bhola Prasad

Jamshedpur, March 5: By the end of this month, the steel city’s flights of fancy will get real.

Come March 23, private low-cost carrier MDLR Airlines will launch its services to link Jamshedpur with New Delhi and Chandigarh. Till now, the city’s air connectivity was restricted only to Ranchi and Calcutta.

Though MDLR has not yet announced its schedule, officials said the flight would, tentatively, arrive in Jamshedpur from Ranchi at around 11.20am. After a brief halt at Sonari Airport, it will take off for Calcutta.

On its return journey, the flight will arrive in Jamshedpur from Calcutta at 1.30pm and then gallop for Ranchi, New Delhi and Chandigarh.

“We had mooted the flight proposal for Jamshedpur two years ago. Finally, things have materialised and we have got necessary approvals,” Koustav M. Dhar, the chief executive officer of MDLR Airlines, told The Telegraph from Gurgaon.

Dhar said the airline was committed to provide quality service to its passengers. A 70-seater aircraft will be pressed into service. It will have six business-class seats. The flight will operate six days a week — from Monday to Saturday.

Officials said the fare would be “competitive” compared to other low-cost airlines. “At least the promotional rates,” a senior official clarified.

Asked whether the airline expected good traffic in times of slowdown, Dhar said: “Recession does not mean that people have stopped flying. Our flights are enjoying good response. Smaller cities like Jamshedpur have immense business potential.” Bookings can be made from next week, he added.

The new air service has been welcomed by businessmen and industry captains. Ajay Singh, a senior official of a reputable company, said: “We will no longer have to face the ordeal of travelling by road or rail. Time is important for people in our profession.”

Dhar said MDLR had plans to start its services in 12 new destinations across India by the end of this year.