Kutch businessmen hit hard as Jet suspends two Bhuj flights

RAJKOT: The crisis at private airlines Jet Airways has adversely impacted the industries in Kutch as the country’s largest district in terms of area, has lost connectivity to India’s financial hub Mumbai.

The Jet Airways has suspended its two flights — one morning and one evening— from Kutch district headquarters Bhuj till April 30 with immediate effect.

Kutch businessmen are frequent fliers to Mumbai. But with suspension of the Jet flights, they are only left with one option that is the Air India flight.

According to Airport Authority of India (AAI) the occupancy rate in flights originating from Bhuj was high. Bhuj Airport director Navneet Kumar Gupta said, “The jet has informed us that they are suspending operation till April 30. They used to fly Boeing 737 which has capacity to carry 170 passengers and it was operating with at its full capacity.”

Gupta added, “IndiGo has the approval to start operation from Bhuj airport but they have not started it yet.”

President of Bhuj Chamber of Commerce and Industry Anil Gor said that there are many Kutchis who have families in Mumbai who come to their native villages frequently. “There are many Kutchis who have settled abroad. They take Mumbai connecting flights. “Most of the industries set up in Kutch after the 2001 earthquake have headquarters in Mumbai and the officers of the companies frequently visit their production facilities.”

He added, “The chamber is in the process to submit a memorandum to civil aviation ministry with request to convince other operators to start operations from Bhuj.”

Nimish Fadke president of Federation of Kutch Industries Association (FOKIA) said, “The only flight from Bhuj is irregular because of runway work. Bhuj is important location for the frequent fliers from northern and western parts of the Kutch.