Patna: CM Samrat Choudhary on Monday flagged off IndiGo Airlines’ first non-stop international flight from Gaya to Bangkok through videoconferencing at a ceremony in Patna.The new service between Gaya and Bangkok will operate twice a week and is expected to strengthen religious, cultural and tourism links between Bihar and Thailand. Greeting passengers on the inaugural flight, Choudhary said civil aviation was being continuously expanded in the state.He said the Gaya-Bangkok connection would boost religious, cultural and tourism ties between Bihar, the land associated with Lord Buddha’s knowledge and compassion, and Thailand. Gaya holds special significance for Buddhist devotees and tourists from across the world, particularly because of Bodh Gaya.The CM said the direct international flight would make travel easier for foreign visitors and expand tourism prospects across the Magadh region. The service is also expected to benefit hotels, transport operators, handicraft makers and other tourism-based businesses.Better air connectivity, he added, was vital to giving Bihar’s culture, historical heritage and local products wider international recognition. He thanked IndiGo for its cooperation and said coordination to expand international air services in Bihar would continue.Choudhary said air connectivity was being promoted through airports at Patna, Darbhanga, Gaya and Purnia. The state is also working on a policy to increase connectivity on new international routes with support from IndiGo expected in the effort.At the programme, IndiGo Airlines special director R K Singh welcomed the CM by presenting him with a green plant. Singh, a native of Deo in Bihar’s Aurangabad district, also symbolically presented Choudhary with a boarding pass for IndiGo’s first non-stop Gaya-Bangkok flight.The launch comes ahead of the upcoming pilgrim season with Gaya Airport ramping up operations under its winter schedule to handle the expected influx of domestic and foreign tourists visiting Bodh Gaya.Thailand-based carriers Thai Airways and Thai AirAsia also began services from Gaya over the weekend. Thai Airways started direct flights to Bangkok, while Thai AirAsia launched a service connecting Gaya directly to Don Mueang.Thai AirAsia’s flights will operate three days a week — Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays — until March 26, 2027.Domestic connectivity has also expanded, with Air India commencing two services on the Delhi-Gaya-Delhi route from Sunday. Its winter schedule will remain in operation until March 27, 2027.(With inputs from Alok Kumar in Gaya)
