Pune: After the Shirdi Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust opened up the Shri Saibaba Samadhi Mandir for devotees, the Shirdi airport has also resumed operations. At present, Indigo airlines has started alternate day flight service to Delhi. The aiport will have regular flights scheduled to other parts of the country from December 5.

As the Sai Temple was opened after the state government gave its nod for reopening religious places, the devotees, especially from South India, started inquiries with the airlines about flight connectivity to the Shirdi airport. Considering the huge demand on this route, the airlines have started their service to Shirdi airport.

Indigo airlines have started Delhi to Shirdi flight on alternate day basis. SpiceJet will be starting its Shirdi to Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru flights from December 5. The airlines are expecting at least 50 per cent occupancy considering the physical distancing norms prescribed by the government.

In case of passengers not having conducted COVID-19 tests before boarding the flights, the Shirdi airport has arranged for antigen tests for passengers at the airport itself. The airlines are also planning to start cargo services once the regular passenger services resume.

The 212-seater airbus of Indigo company arrived at the Shirdi airport. It brought along 98 passengers from Delhi. Of these, 18 passengers were such that they did not conduct any Covid-19 test. Antigen tests were conducted on these passengers.