Direct flight from Kolkata to European cities: Did Suresh Prabhu nod in agreement?

Kolkatans may see direct flights from the city to European destinations soon, something the state government has been requesting for several years now. Despite around 2.5 lakh passengers travelling to Europe from Kolkata, there is no direct flight from the city to the continent since Lufthansa withdrew in 2012. A decade ago, Air India, British Airways had stopped flights between London and the city.

Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu's told Kolkata Airport director Atul Dikshit that a direct flight between Kolkata and any European city will help, according to Times of India. The minister's comment has sparked hope among the people that this might become reality soon.  Airlines, however, says that flights to Kolkata from European countries do not get many business class and first class passengers and another problem is that the traffic from the city is mostly seasonal, the report said.

Though there was no firm assurance from the Union minister, it has definitely sparked hope about a positive outcome.