In a significant boost to regional air connectivity in South India, budget carrier IndiGo has announced the launch of a direct flight service linking Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu with Navi Mumbai in Maharashtra. The new route is set to commence operations on December 29, 2024, marking a key addition during the ongoing winter schedule.
Flight Schedule and Operational Details
According to a source within the airline, the flight operations will follow a daily schedule. The service from Navi Mumbai to Coimbatore, numbered 6E 860, is scheduled to depart at 9:00 AM. The return leg, flight 6E 861 from Coimbatore to Navi Mumbai, will take off at 11:15 AM. This new connection is expected to cater to the growing demand for travel between the industrial hub of Coimbatore and the financial capital's satellite city, providing a much-needed direct link for business and leisure travelers alike.
Colombo Service on the Horizon for 2026
In further expansion plans for Coimbatore's international air network, the same IndiGo source revealed that the airline is actively working to start a new direct service between Coimbatore and Colombo, Sri Lanka. The target for launching this international route is March 2026.
The source indicated that the Colombo service was delayed due to external regulatory constraints. "If the winter schedule restrictions had not been imposed, the Colombo flight would have been operational by now. But due to the ongoing crisis, slots for new services are not being granted. So, we expect it to become effective in the summer schedule," the source explained. They emphasized the route's strong potential, noting, "This route has high demand and has the potential for growth."
Implications for Regional Connectivity
The introduction of the Coimbatore-Navi Mumbai route is a strategic move by IndiGo to strengthen its domestic network from tier-2 cities. It comes at a time when the aviation sector is navigating schedule adjustments. For passengers, this eliminates the need for connecting flights through major hubs like Bengaluru or Chennai, reducing travel time significantly.
The planned Colombo service would mark a major step in enhancing Coimbatore's international connectivity, providing direct access to a key neighboring country and boosting tourism and business ties. The announcement underscores IndiGo's continued confidence in the growth of air travel demand from non-metro cities in India.
