IndiGo on Tuesday announced the launch of direct flights connecting Kolkata and Purnea in Bihar, with operations beginning on September 15. The airline will operate thrice-weekly flights on the route, making Purnea its 94th domestic and 137th overall destination. The flights, to be operated with ATR aircraft, will mark the inauguration of the Purnea airport. IndiGo will also be the first airline to commence operations from the facility. The new service is expected to boost connectivity for Bihar’s Seemanchal region and link travellers to the carrier’s wider domestic and international network via Kolkata, eastern India’s major aviation hub. “Purnea becomes our 94th domestic destination, with direct, thrice weekly flights to and from our eastern hub in Kolkata. We are also honoured to be the first airline to operate from this newly launched airport,” said Vinay Malhotra, Head of Sales, IndiGo, in a press release. He added that the new route would strengthen access to underserved markets and support trade, tourism and economic growth in eastern India. Located in northeast Bihar, Purnea is positioning itself as an emerging hub for trade, agriculture, food processing, healthcare and education. The airport is being launched under the government’s UDAN regional connectivity scheme. According to IndiGo, the Kolkata–Purnea flight (6E 7924) will operate every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, departing Kolkata at 12:30 pm and arriving in Purnea at 1:40 pm. The return flight (6E 7925) will depart Purnea at 2:30 pm and land in Kolkata at 3:40 pm. IndiGo, India’s largest airline by market share, currently operates more than 2,200 daily flights with a fleet of over 400 aircraft, connecting 90-plus domestic and 40 international destinations.