This dream comes true next month. Purnia, after a gap of 35 years, will again find itself on the air map of India and commercial flights start off, in all likelihood, on November 7.

The Spirit Airways has finally given its nod to operate a bi-weekly air service on Kolkata-Purnia-Patna route and the return Patna-Purnia-Kolkata route. The 10-seater aircraft will, to begin with, operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

The Air Force Wing Commandant at Chunapur defence airport in Purnia, Viswajeet Kumar, who broke this information to TOI on Friday, said the air fare will approximately be Rs 4,000-4,500 and Rs 3,500-4,000 for Kolkata-Purnia and Purnia-Patna which will almost be at par with the flight cost between Bagdogra and Kolkata.

All such modalities will be clinched finally at a meeting with the Spirit Airways management on October 25 when a trial flight is also expected, he disclosed.

Purnia was first put on air map way back in 1956-58 when the now defunct Balurghat Airways introduced commercial flights. The air service was, however, withdrawn after a year or so. Another air service, JamAir came into the picture and commenced its services between Purnia and Kolkata in 1976. The JamAir also withdrew its services after nearly two years in 1978, Kumar said.

The re-introduction of air flight between Purnia-Kolkata and Purnia-Patna is the culmination of strenuous and painstaking efforts on the part of the Air Force officials here who established a rapport with the top civil brass in Patna and New Delhi.

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