Star Air Expands Network with New Mundra Route from Hindon
In a strategic move to bolster its regional connectivity, Star Air has announced the commencement of flight services from the Hindon Civil Terminal in Ghaziabad to Mundra in Gujarat. The new route is scheduled to begin operations on April 29, marking a significant addition to the airline's current network.
Route Adjustments and Operational Changes
This development comes against the backdrop of substantial reductions in Star Air's overall flight services. The airline has progressively scaled back its operations from 21 to 12, and currently operates only eight routes. Presently, Star Air is actively servicing the Adampur (Punjab) and Nanded (Maharashtra) routes from Hindon.
Officials confirmed that the Mundra service will operate daily, all seven days of the week, enhancing connectivity between the National Capital Region and the key industrial hub in Gujarat. An official from Star Air elaborated, "We initially planned to launch the Mundra route on April 25, but due to ongoing work at Mundra Airport, we had to postpone it. We are in active discussions with Mundra airport authorities to ensure a smooth commencement."
Impact on Hindon Civil Terminal
The introduction of the Mundra route is expected to provide a much-needed boost to the Hindon Civil Terminal, which has witnessed a dramatic decline in passenger footfall. Following the curtailment of flights, hourly passenger numbers have plummeted from a peak of 6,000 to a mere 2,000-2,200.
Chilka Mahesh, Director of the Hindon Civil Terminal, stated, "Star Air will initiate operations from Hindon to Mundra starting April 29. Additionally, we have been informed that the Kishangarh route, which was previously suspended, will resume by the end of this month."
Historical Context and Current Operations
Star Air's journey at Hindon began on November 6, 2019, with the launch of services to Hubli, followed by the introduction of the Kalburgi route on November 18, 2019. However, both these routes were suspended in January 2023. The airline resumed operations at Hindon on March 31, 2024, with flights to Nanded and Adampur, which continue to operate.
Currently, Star Air and IndiGo are the only carriers operating from the Hindon Civil Terminal. IndiGo serves routes to Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Navi Mumbai, and Varanasi.
Broader Aviation Landscape at Hindon
The aviation scenario at Hindon has seen significant fluctuations. Air India Express expanded its footprint last year by introducing operations on ten routes, including Kolkata, Goa, Jaipur, Chennai, Patna, Varanasi, Mumbai, Bhubaneswar, Jammu, and Bengaluru. These services commenced between April and May but were subsequently scaled down to zero within a year, highlighting the volatile nature of regional air connectivity.
This new Mundra route by Star Air represents a critical step in revitalizing the terminal's operations and providing enhanced travel options for passengers in the region.
