SpiceJet 's maiden international flight takes off from Kolkata

Budget carrier SpiceJet on Wednesday started its first international flight from Kolkata with a service to Nepal's capital Kathmandu via West Bengal's tourist hotspot Bagdogra.

The airline had last month announced a promotional fare of Rs 99 for the Bagdogra-Kathmandu leg while Rs 4,289 for Kolkata-Kathmandu journey, the company said in a release.

"We are extremely pleased with the response received for our Kathmandu-Bagdogra-Kolkata connection. This direct service will provide our customers flying from either regions much more convenience in terms of connectivity and reach," Kaneswaran Avili, Chief Commercial Officer, SpiceJet said.

SpiceJet has deployed Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft on both these routes.

The airline has already seen 5,260 bookings for its newly-launched sector since it was announced last month, SpiceJet said.

The Kolkata-Bagdogra-Kathmandu flight will operate three times a week -- Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. This is SpiceJet's second service to Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport from the country.

The airline already operates its flight services from New Delhi to Kathmandu.

SpiceJet is the first Indian airline to operate on Kathmandu-Bagdogra route.

This new three times weekly Kathmandu flight is in addition to the 11 weekly direct flights SpiceJet already operates on Delhi-Kathmandu route.