Air India has discontinued the operation of its full-service carrier at the Imphal International Airport from June 15, but the airline's low-cost subsidiary AI Express will continue services here, AAI officials said on Monday.
The decision was part of the airline's "long-standing and pre-planned" strategy, they said.
"It is part of a long-standing, pre-planned strategic decision by the airline, and is in no way related to any recent incident," one of the airport officials said.
Altogether, 241 people on board Air India's London-bound AI 171 flight were killed when the aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from the Ahmedabad airport on June 12.
"The move is part of a broader strategic realignment by the Tata Group, which owns the airline. Air India Express, the group's low-cost subsidiary, will continue its operations at Imphal, signalling a shift in service model but ensuring continued air connectivity," said another official of the Airport Authority of India (AAI) here.
The Air India authorities could not be contacted for comment.
{{/usCountry}}The Air India authorities could not be contacted for comment.
{{/usCountry}}Air India has a cherished history in the region, connecting Imphal to major cities across the country, the officials added.