Religare's regional air service suspends flights

The company has been operating between Chandigarh and Jammu from Amritsar since last year

Religare Group run regional air transport service provider Air Mantra suspended operations today. Air Mantra began operations last year with four daily flights to Chandigarh and Jammu from Amristar.

The company did not share an official comment on the development but an executive from the call centre said that all its flights were cancelled and they were awaiting a fresh schedule.

Since last year Air Mantra has been operating with two 18-seat Beechcraft 1900 turbo prop planes based in Amritsar. It had plans to launch services to Dharamshala, Pathankot and act as a feeder service to metro cities. A week ago the airline informed the Airport Authority of India it is "temporarily withdrawing'' flights from April 1. Company officials told AAI that the airline was assessing its business strategy and had plans to induct larger capacity aircraft.

“Better service and connectivity is our primary objective. Every possible detail has been taken into consideration to ensure our passengers have a wonderful experience, with safe and comfortable flights, ''Sanjay Godhwani, Managing Director and group chief executive, Mantra had stated at the time of launch last July.

On Monday, Godhwani told reporters that the company will issue a comment at an appropriate time.

Air Mantra is part of Religare Voyages, founded by Malvinder Singh and Shivender Singh and was set up about five years ago with the launch of air charter services. The company has a fleet of 12 aircraft, ranging from five-seater turboprops to 17-seater corporate luxury jets.