7 years on, Salem flight service resumes

After seven long years, the much-awaited air service between and Salem and Chennai commenced on Sunday. Chief Minister Edappadi K Palanisami, while flagging off the Trujet Airline service in Salem, said land acquisition for the expansion and development of Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Thoothukudi and Tiruchy airports was under way.

“Under the Udan scheme, flight service will soon commence in Vellore and Thanjavur districts. Improving connectivity and developing infrastructure will ensure industrial growth, employment for youngsters, and pave the way for a prosperous economy,” he said. 

The airport was set up at Kamalapuram, near Omalur, in Salem district in 1993. NEPC Ltd was the first to start flight operations between Chennai and Coimbatore via Salem but it was suspended due to lack of patronage. In 2009, Kingfisher Airlines started a service between Salem and Chennai, but halted operations after a few months. 

In the past several years, business groups have been demanding air link between Salem and other major cities. “People living in Salem, Erode, Namakkal, Karur, Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri will benefit from the direct service to Chennai,” the CM said. 

After expansion, bigger aircraft would be operated from the airport, the CM said. Union Minister for Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation Suresh Prabhu, through video-conferencing, said Salem would soon be connected to major cities in India. International services could also be considered, he added.   

“Of the 13 ‘unserved’ airports identified by the central government, Salem and Neyveli were chosen in the first phase for flight operations under the Udan scheme,” he said. 

Palanisami said the state government had been maintaining cordial relationship with the Centre to bring development projects to Tamil Nadu. “Opposition parties don’t like the government functioning cordially with the Centre,” he said. 

The Prime Minister had positively met the demands of the state due to our convivial relationship, he added.