IndiGo to launch flights to Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

India’s largest airline IndiGo has announced the addition of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan to its network, with flights beginning in October.

IndiGo says “Khamma Ghani, Jaisalmer”!

IndiGo will connect Jaisalmer with Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Jaipur.

Starting 12th October 2023, IndiGo will operate a daily flight between Delhi and Jaisalmer with the following timings:

• Delhi-Jaisalmer
• Departure time: 11:35
• Arrival time: 13:00
• Flight time: 1 hour and 25 minutes
• Flight number: 6E2024

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• Jaisalmer-Delhi
• Departure time: 13:40
• Arrival time: 15:00
• Flight time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
• Flight number: 6E2049

Flights to Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Jaipur will start on the first day of winter schedule i.e. 29th October 2023.

The timings of Mumbai-Jaisalmer-Mumbai flights are:

• Mumbai-Jaisalmer
• Departure time: 09:20
• Arrival time: 11:20
• Flight time: 2 hours
• Flight number: 6E5142

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• Jaisalmer-Mumbai
• Departure time: 11:50
• Arrival time: 13:40
• Flight time: 1 hour and 50 minutes
• Flight number: 6E5153

The timings of Ahmedabad-Jaisalmer-Ahmedabad flights are:

• Ahmedabad-Jaisalmer
• Departure time: 14:45
• Arrival time: 16:45
• Flight time: 2 hours
• Flight number: 6E7716

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• Jaisalmer-Ahmedabad
• Departure time: 17:05
• Arrival time: 19:00
• Flight time: 1 hour and 55 minutes
• Flight number: 6E7717

The timings of Jaipur-Jaisalmer-Jaipur flights are:

• Jaipur-Jaisalmer
• Departure time: 13:55
• Arrival time: 15:35
• Flight time: 1 hour and 40 minutes
• Flight number: 6E7759

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• Jaisalmer-Jaipur
• Departure time: 15:55
• Arrival time: 17:35
• Flight time: 1 hour and 40 minutes
• Flight number: 6E7761

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Flights from Delhi and Mumbai will be operated by Airbus A320 family aircraft while those from Ahmedabad and Jaipur will be operated by ATR72-600.

We are extremely pleased to add Jaisalmer to our extensive domestic network. Also known as the golden city, distinguished by its yellow sandstone architecture, flights to/from Jaisalmer will establish a connection with other regions of the country through major commercial and industrial capitals such as Delhi and Mumbai. By announcing air connectivity to Jaisalmer, we also aim to provide easy access to neighboring areas while contributing to economic activity and opportunities. IndiGo has been at the forefront of enhancing regional connectivity, and continues its commitment to providing affordable, on-time, courteous, and hassle-free travel experiences.

said Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales, IndiGo.

Jaisalmer, a mystical city in the state of Rajasthan, is situated on the westernmost frontier of India and rises from the heart of the Thar Desert. Also attributed as the “Golden City of India” owing to the yellow sand and yellow sandstone used in the architecture of the town that gives it a golden look, Jaisalmer is famous all over the world for its palaces and forts of spectacular opulence. Jaisalmer traces its inception to the 12th century. It has transformed itself into one of India’s key tourist destinations as well as claims an important position among the tourist attractions spread all over the desert land of Rajasthan. The city’s most prominent landmark is the Jaisalmer Fort, also called Sonar Qila (Golden Fort).

An interesting addition

Jaisalmer is a very interesting addition by IndiGo. It comes at a time when the airline is committed to focus on international expansion in nearby countries. The reason why Jaisalmer is an interesting addition is because it’s a highly seasonal market. In the past, TruJet and SpiceJet have served the market. The former has now ceased operations while the latter is scheduled to return to Jaisalmer in the winter schedule, although that seems highly unlikely now given IndiGo is entering the market.

Jaisalmer has always been a winter seasonal market, with the major chunk of tourists visiting the city during the October-March period. The airport does not have any scheduled flights in the summer. IndiGo is currently accepting bookings until the end of winter schedule so it will be interesting to see if the airline will continue operating flights in the summer or not.

What’s interesting here is that IndiGo is going all-in with flights from Mumbai and Delhi scheduled to be operated by Airbus A320s. Now, as far as I know, Jaisalmer is not a highly matured market, definitely not so much as to support daily A320 operations to two metros. I may be wrong here but I am not able to connect the dots somehow. It may be the case that IndiGo is trying to build and catch hold of the market in a way no one has done before.

On the other hand, it’s true that IndiGo has not closed any of its stations once it started operating flights there. All-in-all, it will be interesting to look at the seat load factors once these services start, giving a true idea of how big the Jaisalmer market is!

Featured image by IndiGo

What do you think of IndiGo starting flights to Jaisalmer? Let me know in the comments section below.

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