IndiGo took off on a milestone journey, inaugurating its premier direct flight route from Veer Surendra Sai Airport in Jharsuguda to Bengaluru on Wednesday.
With 179 passengers arriving from Bengaluru and 169 departing from Jharsuguda, the maiden flight marked a significant leap in regional connectivity.
Captain Rahul Leekha, a proud resident of Jharsuguda, alongside co-pilot Payal Agarwal from Sambalpur, steered the historic inaugural flight, drawing accolades and pride from their hometowns.
“Jharsuguda celebrates this historic flight,” expressed Vijay Leekha, Rahul’s father, exuding pride for his son’s pivotal role in connecting the cities.
Payal Agarwal’s mother, Mamta Agarwal, lauded the warm reception her daughter received at Jharsuguda airport, underscoring the significance of this new route.
Adding a sweet note to the occasion, a cake-cutting ceremony unfolded for passengers heading to Bengaluru, with airport director Sandip Tiwari and IndiGo officials sharing in the jubilation.
Tiwari, emphasizing the success of the inaugural flight, shared, “The flight not only arrived ahead of schedule but also departed with a full house—179 passengers arriving and 169 departing. We encourage passengers to make the most of this connection, and we’re eager to expand our services to Kolkata and Delhi.”
Expressing relief and joy, passengers echoed the convenience of the direct route. Vikram Sawant, hailing from Thiruvananthapuram and working in Jharsuguda, praised the drastic reduction in travel time from over 40 hours to a mere five hours, thanks to this direct Bengaluru flight.
Shabbir Badshah, another passenger from Bellary (Karnataka) employed in Jharsuguda, rejoiced over the flight’s time-saving attributes, having previously navigated through the strenuous Hyderabad route.
IndiGo’s inaugural flight, beyond connecting cities, has woven a tapestry of shared moments and stories. It’s more than a route; it’s a journey that brings people closer, turning airports into gateways of warmth and connection.
