On Thursday, IndiGo announced that it was now offering flights to Réunion, a French overseas department in the Indian Ocean, directly from Chennai, India. This is the first such airline in India that connects Réunion through direct flights. The flights will be available three days a week with Airbus A320 planes.
The flights of IndiGo, as per the route timetable provided by the airline, would be scheduled under the name 6E 1871 to fly from Chennai to the Island. The flight would depart from Chennai at 12:20 pm and land at Réunion Island at 5:10 pm. The return flight, named 6E 1872, would depart at 6:10 pm and arrive at Chennai at 2:10 am. All the above details are based on the timings in the respective time zones.
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Why is the IndiGo flight essential?
There are approximately 3,00,000 people of Indian origin residing in the island, which accounts for more than one-third of the island’s population. There is a high demand for air services between the two places. India acts as an intermediary point for commercial, medical, wellness, and religious tourism.
Réunion Island is characterized by its volcanic mountains, lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and beaches, which are all found close to each other.
A large portion of Réunion Island, which includes its pitons, cirques, and ramparts, has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The culture of Réunion Island is a result of a combination of influences from Africa, Europe, India, and Asia. In addition to being a popular holiday destination, Réunion Island is also becoming a popular place for business travellers.
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‘Only airline to offer the connectivity’: IndiGo
Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales at IndiGo, was quoted by the Hindustan Times saying, “We are pleased to commence direct flights to Réunion Island, a French overseas territory in the Indian Ocean region, renowned for its striking landscapes, pristine beaches, and lush rainforests.
An exciting addition to our expanding network, this destination offers a diverse range of experiences - from hiking and canyoning in UNESCO-listed national parks to paragliding over rugged coastlines, whale watching, and snorkeling in magnificent coral reef lagoons."
