Lakshadweep travellers rejoice! Alliance Air adds two more flights per week | Details

New Delhi: State-owned air carrier Alliance Air has added 2 flights per week to Lakshadweep’s Agatti airport from Kochi in a surprise for travellers to the scenic Union territory. In a boost to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s push for exploration of domestic travel destinations, which gained traction after a row over snide remarks made by 3 Maldivian ministers on social media, Alliance Air will offer flights on the Kochi-Agatti-Kochi route on Sunday and Wednesday. The additional flights will operate between January 21, 2024 and March 27, 2024.

All flights to Lakshadweep Islands were sold out until March 2024, according to an earlier report. These flight additions are expected to provide travellers the opportunity to explore the archipelago without having to wait nearly 3 months for the next flight. SpiceJet receives Lakshadweep permit Travel enthusiasts received another pleasant surprise this week after domestic air carrier SpiceJet received the permit to operate flights on the Kochi-Agatti-Kochi route, SpiceJet CEO Ajay Singh said in a post on social media platform X.

The flights will be announced soon, he added without providing a specific timeline. How much does a trip to Lakshadweep cost? Lakshadweep travel packages start at Rs 26,891 per person, according to travel booking platform MakeMyTrip. These fares are exclusive of air fares for a duration of 5 days and 4 nights.

Thomas Cook is offering a similar stay package at a starting price of Rs 31,900 per person, exclusive of flight fares. Travel platform EaseMyTrip is offering Lakshadweep travel packages at a starting price of Rs 22,999 per person for 3 nights an 4 days, exclusive of flight fare. Travel to Lakshadweep requires a travel permit owing to the sensitivity of these islands in both ecological and military strategy terms.

The government has eased the process of securing travel permits online priced at Rs 150 for children and Rs 250 for adults. Lakshadweep has 3 popular islands accessible to foreigners, namely Agatti, Bangaram, and Kadmat. Indians are permitted to visit all islands.

How did Lakshadweep gain prominence? Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted photos from a visit to the islands on his social media handles, praising the tranquillity and mesmerising views of the islands which offer a moment of reflection to the traveller. He also shared images of his snorkelling experience in the islands and the pristine beaches in the archipelago which offered an opportunity for blissful morning walks. “Lakshadweep is not just a group of islands; it’s a timeless legacy of traditions and a testament to the spirit of its people.

My visit has been an enriching journey of learning and growing,” the Prime Minister said while concluding his thread on Lakshadweep posted on the social media platform X. Maldives controversy over Lakshadweep Three Maldivian Cabinet ministers, namely Maryam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef and Mahzoom Majid took to social media platform X to disparage the Prime Minister’s posts and assert the supremacy of their country’s beaches. The ministers also flagged India’s ties with Israel against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas War and also disparaged India’s beaches for lack of cleanliness.

This led to a social media backlash, with numerous X users cancelling their plans to travel to the Maldives. Actors also extolled the virtues of exploring India instead of giving business to an island that does not respect India. Lastly, travel platforms led by EaseMyTrip also stopped taking bookings for the Maldives in a strong response to the 3 Maldivian ministers’ social media activity.

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