Agartala flight services have come under renewed scrutiny after Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport Director Krishnan Mohan Nehra wrote to the chief executive officers of airlines operating from the Tripura capital, urging them not to withdraw services.
Nehra said on Wednesday that the airport and the Tripura government were working to protect air connectivity. He said airlines may reduce flights for commercial reasons, while aircraft shortages and maintenance needs can also affect schedules.
Agartala flight services face airline-level commercial pressures
Speaking at a press conference, Nehra said airline decisions on flight frequency remain primarily commercial. He noted that aircraft availability and maintenance requirements can lead carriers to reduce services across several destinations.
“We will give them passengers,” Nehra said, referring to the appeal made to airline CEOs. He added that the state government had also taken up the issue with the Union Civil Aviation Ministry.
The director did not say any airline had confirmed a complete withdrawal after his appeal. He described the letters as an effort to retain connectivity while carriers review operations.
Current flight operations remain significant
MBB Airport currently handles up to 14 arrivals and 14 departures each day, according to Nehra. Around 4,000 to 4,500 passengers use the airport daily, while passenger movement could rise to about 6,000 a day during the festival season.
Nehra also said flight occupancy often reaches 95 to 99 per cent. He said these figures show sustained passenger demand as airlines assess routes and frequencies.
Agartala flight services have also seen adjustments on individual routes. Hyderabad services, which previously operated five days a week, are currently available three days a week, with efforts under way to restore the earlier frequency.
Delhi operations are also being adjusted. Nehra said two flights are planned on three days of the week and one flight on the remaining days.
Airfares and schedules remain airline decisions
The airport director said both flight frequencies and airfares ultimately depend on airline decisions. Operating costs for individual sectors can influence fare calculations, while seasonal demand also affects the aviation market.
He pointed to July through September as a generally lean travel period. Demand, he said, tends to rise during the festival months. Therefore, changes in schedules during one period do not necessarily indicate a permanent shift in connectivity.
Tripura Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury had earlier approached the Union Civil Aviation Ministry over reductions and proposed withdrawals from Agartala. His August letter referred to changes involving Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo and Akasa Air on routes linking Tripura with major cities.
Agartala flight services remain tied to passenger demand
The latest appeal places passenger demand at the centre of efforts to retain connectivity. Nehra said the airport has sufficient traffic and that authorities are trying to demonstrate this to airlines.
MBB Airport handled nearly 1.5 million passengers in the 2025-26 financial year, according to Nehra. The airport also secured sixth position among Indian airports in the Customer Satisfaction Survey, he said.
Meanwhile, the airport is preparing for passenger-focused campaigns. Swachhta Hi Seva will run from September 17 to October 2, while Yatri Sewa Abhiyan 2026 will continue until October 10.
The campaigns will focus on cleanliness, accessibility, passenger information, baggage handling, drinking water, digital services and facilities for women, children, senior citizens and passengers with disabilities.
New options could support regional connectivity
Nehra also provided an update on Kailashahar Airport in Unakoti district. Two small airlines have submitted proposals to operate services there, although a final decision is still pending.
He said the airport could initially support smaller aircraft. However, larger aircraft would require additional land and infrastructure. The Airports Authority has sought 205 acres from the state government for possible expansion.
For Agartala flight services, the immediate focus remains on retaining existing routes and frequencies. The airport’s appeal to airlines comes as authorities seek to balance commercial realities with the state’s need for reliable air connectivity.
The response from airlines will determine how many current services remain unchanged and whether reduced frequencies can be restored. For passengers, the coming weeks will offer a clearer picture of Agartala’s flight network as the festival travel period approaches.
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