Air India has ended its full-service operations in Imphal after a similar exit from Agartala, shifting to low-cost Air India Express for continued connectivity. The strategic move by the Tata-owned airline aims to streamline services at smaller airports across the northeast while ensuring affordable travel options remain available.
Air India has now withdrawn its full-service operations from Imphal International Airport. The Tata Group-owned airline will, however, continue flight services to the Manipur capital through its low-cost arm, Air India Express. The move is part of a broader operational overhaul by the airline group since its acquisition by Tata in January 2022.
An official from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) confirmed on Monday that Air India has ceased its full-service flights at Bir Tikendrajit International Airport, Imphal, from Sunday onwards. “This is part of a pre-planned restructuring strategy by the airline,” said the AAI official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The restructuring follows a similar pattern seen in Agartala, Tripura, where Air India suspended its full-service operations three months ago at Maharaja Bir Bikram (MBB) Airport. That airport is the second busiest in the northeastern region, after Guwahati’s Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport.
Despite pulling back its full-service offerings, the airline is committed to maintaining air connectivity in the region. Air India Express, the budget arm of the group, will continue operating flights from Imphal using its fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft. This ensures that passengers traveling to and from Manipur will still have access to affordable air travel, though with fewer amenities than those provided under the full-service model.
Since Tata took control of Air India in early 2022, the airline has been undergoing a phased reorganization, particularly at smaller domestic airports across the country. The goal appears to be a streamlined operational focus that leverages Air India Express for cost-effective services at less commercially intensive locations, while retaining full-service operations at major metro hubs.
“The airline has been gradually shifting its focus from operating full-service flights at tier-2 and tier-3 cities to allowing its budget subsidiary to handle those routes. This reduces operational costs while still keeping the network intact,” the AAI official said.
Such a move reflects a growing trend in the Indian aviation sector, where low-cost carriers dominate the domestic market. The rise in fuel costs, maintenance overheads, and stiff market competition have pushed airlines to adopt leaner business models, especially on routes that have lower yields.
The decision holds significance given the strategic role of Imphal airport in the northeastern aviation network. Imphal, along with Guwahati, holds international airport status in the region and serves as a critical hub for both domestic and international passengers.
Currently, the northeast region is served by 17 operational airports, including major ones like Guwahati, Silchar, Dibrugarh, Jorhat, and Tezpur in Assam; Agartala in Tripura; Imphal in Manipur; Shillong in Meghalaya; and Dimapur in Nagaland. Arunachal Pradesh is served by Tezu, Pasighat, Ziro, and the newly developed Donyi Polo Airport, while Mizoram, and Sikkim are connected through Lengpui and Pakyong airports respectively.
Air connectivity in this region has long been crucial due to difficult terrain and limited surface transport options. While the change in airline service might impact some frequent flyers accustomed to full-service comfort, the presence of Air India Express ensures that essential connectivity is preserved.
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Industry analysts suggest that this transition could pave the way for more budget airlines to enter or expand in the northeastern aviation sector. With Air India focusing its premium service on metro cities and international routes, regional hubs may increasingly see a rise in low-cost carrier traffic.
For passengers in Imphal and other parts of the northeast, the key issue remains the availability of consistent and affordable air services. The continued presence of Air India Express is a positive indicator, though it marks the end of an era for Air India’s traditional full-service legacy in several smaller northeastern airports.
