After Kingfisher and Jet Airways, the SpiceJet launched operations from Gannavaram airport to Hyderabad on Wednesday.MP Mr Lagadapati Rajagopal flagged off the aircraft at Gannavaram airport. The union minister of state for textiles Ms Panabaka Lakshmi was present. The SpiceJet has introduced Q-400 NextGen Turbo-prop aircraft by placing its footprint in Vijayawada. The SpiceJet is operating two services in a day for the convenience of the passengers most importantly for business as well as official purposes.

Due to the introduction of modern aircraft the travelling time also came down from 65-70 minutes to only 55 minutes between Vijayawada-Hyderabad. Flight departs from Hyderabad at 7.10 am and reaches Gannavaram at 8 am Similarly, the Vijayawda-Hyderabad flight departs at 8.20 am and reaches Hyderabad at 9.15 am. In evening, the Hyderabad-Vijayawada flight departs at 4.10 pm and arrives Vijayawada at 5.05 pm. The flight departs at Gannavaram airport at 5.25 pm and reaches Hyderabad at 6.20 pm.

SpiceJet chief executive officer Mr R. Neelakan-tham told reporters on Wednesday the airways asked the Gannavaram airport officials to develop the night-landing facility so that the flights can land in the night.He said order has been placed for 30 Q-400 planes and five have already arrived. Replying to a question, he said the organisation is planning to introduce a flight to Vizag from Vijayawada. He said the first 10 seats will get concessional rate of Rs.999 and hoped the passengers will avail the facility.

He said the SpiceJet is India’s most preferred airliner with more than 14 per cent market share delivering the lowest airfares with the highest consumer value.The chief financial officer, Mr Natarajan and SpiceJet staff was present. Earlier, Jet Airways launched services from Gannavaram to Hyderabad on March 27. Before that Kingfisher had a monopoly. With the entry of SpiceJet, the fares are expected to come down.