Air India Discontinues Delhi-Gaya Route, IndiGo Cancels New Flight Plan
In a significant blow to air connectivity in Bihar's Magadh division, Air India has officially ceased operations on the Delhi-Gaya route, while IndiGo has withdrawn its proposal to introduce a daily flight connecting Gaya, Kolkata, and Mumbai. This dual development leaves regional passengers with reduced options and raises concerns about monopolistic practices in the aviation sector.
Air India's Final Departure from Gaya
According to Awadhesh Kumar, the officiating director of Gaya International Airport, the last Air India flight, AI 1815, departed from Gaya airport on Saturday evening, marking the end of the airline's service on this critical route. Air India had pioneered this connection in 2011, with IndiGo joining later in 2019-20. Both airlines suspended operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, but while IndiGo resumed services afterward, Air India only restarted flights in late 2025 following intervention by Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, who represents Gaya in the Lok Sabha.
Air India's discontinuation came under scrutiny earlier when the airline failed to apply to the Airport Authority of India (AAI) for slot allotment in the summer schedule, a step typically taken two to three months in advance by carriers. Air India station manager Dinesh Gopal declined to comment on the developments, citing lack of authorization to interact with the media.
IndiGo's Silent Withdrawal from Proposed Route
In a parallel setback, IndiGo has backed out of its plan to launch a daily flight on the Gaya-Kolkata-Mumbai sector. Kumar noted that after initially expressing interest, the airline has gone silent and appears to have abandoned the proposal, which was tentatively scheduled to commence by the end of March. When questioned about the reasons behind this decision, Kumar stated he had no specific information.
However, aviation experts speculate that IndiGo may be grappling with operational challenges linked to new flying protocols introduced by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The airline recently faced penalties from the regulator for violations concerning crew duty and rest hours, prompting it to scale back some operations and potentially hindering its ability to launch services on new routes.
Business Community Voices Concern Over Connectivity Loss
Pramod Bhadani, president-elect of the Central Bihar Chamber of Commerce, expressed deep concern over the discontinuation of Air India's Gaya-Delhi service, labeling it a major setback for the region. He emphasized that instead of expanding flight options, the withdrawal of an existing facility represents a backward step, especially given that the airline was reportedly performing well on the route.
"With Air India out of the scene, IndiGo now has a monopoly on the route, which is certainly not good for air passengers of the region," Bhadani remarked. He added that the business body plans to approach relevant authorities to advocate for the resumption of Air India services, highlighting the negative impact on travel convenience and economic activity in Magadh division.
The combined exit of Air India and IndiGo's canceled expansion leaves air passengers in the area with fewer choices, potentially leading to higher fares and reduced flexibility. This development underscores broader issues in India's aviation sector, including regulatory compliance and route profitability, while casting a shadow over the future of air travel connectivity in eastern Bihar.
