Agartala flight services are at the centre of a fresh effort to protect air connectivity to Tripura, with Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport Director Krishnan Mohan Nehra writing to the chief executive officers of airlines operating from Agartala. Nehra has urged the carriers not to withdraw services, saying the airport and the state government are working to retain connectivity amid concerns over reductions in flight operations.
Airport director appeals to airline CEOs
Nehra said on September 16 that he had written to the CEOs of all airlines operating from Agartala and asked them to maintain their services. He said the airport had assured airlines that it would work to support passenger demand.
According to the airport director, decisions to reduce flights are primarily driven by commercial considerations. He also pointed to aircraft shortages and maintenance requirements as factors that can lead airlines to reduce frequencies across different destinations.
The latest intervention comes after concerns over Agartala flight services increased in recent months. Tripura Transport and Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury had earlier approached Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, seeking intervention over the withdrawal or reduction of services by Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo and Akasa Air.
Routes face reductions and proposed withdrawals
The state government has highlighted several changes affecting connectivity from Agartala. Air India has reduced services and was reported to be considering discontinuing its Agartala-Guwahati operation from October 22.
Air India Express has also withdrawn or reduced services on some important routes. Its Agartala-Bagdogra-Bengaluru service was reported to be facing withdrawal.
IndiGo’s direct Agartala-Hyderabad service was proposed for withdrawal from October 1, while Akasa Air was reported to be scheduled to withdraw its service from Agartala from October 22. Earlier, services linking Agartala with Shillong, Aizawl and Chennai had also been withdrawn, according to the minister’s August letter.
These changes have raised concerns because passengers depend on air links to reach major cities for medical treatment, education, business and official work. The state government has also linked reduced capacity with higher fares on sectors such as Agartala-Kolkata, Agartala-Delhi, Agartala-Guwahati and Agartala-Bengaluru.
Demand remains strong at MBB Airport
The airport’s latest passenger figures are being cited as an important reason to retain and strengthen connectivity. Nehra said Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport currently handles as many as 14 arrivals and 14 departures each day, with around 4,500 passengers travelling through the airport daily.
Passenger movement is expected to rise to about 6,000 a day during the upcoming festival season. The figures underline the continuing demand for Agartala flight services, even as airlines review schedules and routes.
Earlier this year, airport officials reported that annual passenger traffic had increased significantly. Passenger movement rose from about 8.9 lakh in 2014-15 to nearly 15 lakh in 2025-26, while aircraft movements also increased over the same period.
Kailashahar airport plans also move ahead
Alongside efforts to preserve existing connectivity, authorities are also looking at expanding aviation access within Tripura. Nehra said two small airlines have submitted proposals to operate services from Kailashahar Airport in Unakoti district.
He said the airport could initially accommodate smaller aircraft. However, larger aircraft, including Airbus-type planes, would require additional land. The airport authority has sought 205 acres from the state government for such expansion. The final decision on operationalising the airport will depend on airline consent and proposals.
The proposed Kailashahar operations could add another aviation option for northern Tripura, although the immediate focus remains on protecting existing connectivity from Agartala.
State seeks stability as travel demand grows
The latest appeal by the airport director follows the state government’s earlier request for restoration of withdrawn flights, retention of existing services and additional capacity on high-demand routes. The government has also asked the Centre to address concerns over rising airfares and passenger inconvenience.
For Tripura, maintaining reliable Agartala flight services remains important because of the state’s geographical location and dependence on air links with major urban centres. The airport’s current passenger volumes, along with expected festival-season demand, will remain key factors as airlines review their schedules.
For now, the airport authorities’ letters to airline CEOs represent an effort to prevent further reductions, while discussions involving the state government, airlines and the Union Civil Aviation Ministry continue. The outcome will determine how much of Agartala’s existing network can be retained in the coming months.