Gaya (Bihar), Dec 18: Giving a major boost to Buddhist circuit tourism in India, the Indian Airlines today launched its air service between the most revered Buddhist pilgrim centre Gaya and Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi flagged off the twice-a- week flight at the Gaya airport today in what she described as a great leap forward towards promoting the tourism industry.
The flight would operate on Kolkata-Gaya-Bangkok-Kolkata sector every Wednesday and on Kolkata-Bangkok-Gaya-Kolkata sector every Saturday.
Addressing the gathering before the flagging off ceremony, Union Civil Aviation Minister Syed Shahnawaz Hussain termed the introduction of the Gaya-Bangkok air link as a landmark in Indian aviation history.
Expressing confidence that the flight will get an overwhelming response, Hussain said that the Colombo-Gaya flight of the Sri Lankan Airlines had full booking for the next four months.
The minister said the Gaya airport had been accorded open sky facility and all airlines of the world were free to introduce their services.
Hussain announced that the Indian Airlines would set up a Rs 11 crore air-cargo facility at Patna soon.
Addressing the gathering, RJD president Laloo Prasad Yadav said a great dream had been realised with the introduction of the Gaya-Bangkok flight.
Stating that Bihar had vast potential for tourism, Laloo said that Centre should extend adequate assistance for it. He also called for setting up air-cargo facilities in the state. Bureau Report