Union Minister of State for Finance Pon Radhakrishnan and Tamil Nadu chief-minister Edapadi K. Palaniswami jointly inaugurated aircraft services connecting Chennai and Salem under the Centre's ambitious 'Udaan' (regional connectivity services) scheme.

Though the Salem Airport was inaugurated way back in 1993 itself, it didn't become fully operational as there wasn't much clamour from the locals to travel by air from Salem.  In the meantime, the Centre launched its ambitions 'Udaan' scheme intending to connect small cities and towns with major metros/cities as part of its strategy to enhance urban and rural development.

Costing a moderate Rs.1499/-, the voyage from Chennai to Salem would be completed in 50 minutes, it has been informed.  The renewed aircraft services linking Chennai and Salem were inaugurated yesterday from Chennai with Ponnar, EPS, BJP's Tamil Nadu president Tamilisai Soundararajan and others travelling by the first chartered flight to Salem from Chennai after seven years.

The flight landed at Salem at 10:00 a.m.  Speaking to newsmen at Salem Airport, EPS said that the air-services would benefit small and medium range traders in and around Salem, Erode, Namakkal and Krishnagiri Districts.  He also assured that the Airport would soon be expanded so that it acquired the capacity to operate big flights to other major cities and towns as well.

Services from Salem to Chennai commenced by the 11:00 a.m. flight.  Hyderabad-based True Jet has acquired rights, to begin with, to operate flights to and from Salem.  It is likely that air-services connecting Salem and Tirupati would commence soon.