Bipin Shah   Self Employed
National Aviation Company of India Ltd, which owns Air India , is planning to revive the defunct Vayudoot airline to improve connectivity to small towns and cities. It had earlier planned to sell the brand.



Delhi-based Vayudoot was launched as a subsidiary of erstwhile Indian Airlines in January 1981 to serve the northeast region.



Vayudoot grew to operating in 100 stations across the country.



"It operated out of 10 destinations in Bihar alone and still has great brand value," said a senior official in the ministry of civil aviation.



However, due to deep financial crises, Vayudoot was merged with Indian Airlines. It ceased operations in 1997 and the airline's employees were absorbed by Indian Airlines or Air India.



In its new avatar, Vayudoot will be a feeder service bringing traffic from small towns to larger cities and state capitals and from there to other national and international destinations.



"Vayudoot has a brand value, and we will not have to invest anything on the brand. The plan is to increase the network and provide deep connectivity and feed small cities, which may provide many options to passengers using Air India's hub in Delhi " said a senior ministry official, who did not wish to be identified.
Oct 31st 2010 23:41