Agra eagerly awaits direct Air India link
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The tourism industry in Agra is reportedly upbeat at the prospect of Air India introducing connecting flights to and from Agra, saying it would mean a big boost for tourism, IANS reported. An Air India spokesman had recently said that tier-two and -three cities would now be connected by air with metropolitan cities in the second phase of the national carrier’s expansion exercise. “We have approached the central government and through political channels we are trying to persuade the civil aviation ministry to expedite the process so that by the time the next tourist season commences, we have air connectivity from all major centres in India,” Rajiv Tiwari, a senior tourism industry leader was quoted saying.He said the Kheria airport was fully equipped to handle air traffic and capable of handling international flights. “Already chartered flights are coming to Agra regularly.”According to officials, the Agra airport was being modernised and more facilities were being provided.Local tourism industry leaders were quoted saying that the entry of Air India would prove to be the biggest boost for this sector which has seen many ups and downs in recent years. “Most foreign tourists who come to India have only Taj Mahal in mind. Such visitors will now save a lot of time and money. From Agra they can either return home or go to Jaipur or Kerala,” Sandeep Arora, ex-president of the Hotel Association, was quoted saying.He said there was a powerful Delhi lobby of hoteliers and travel agents who had managed to scuttle the plan for an international airport in Agra. “The tourists were made to get off at Delhi and visit Agra as an excursion point. In most cases, the tourists returned the same night. They rarely spent a night in Agra and never saw all the monuments,” he was quoted saying.
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