Hyderabad, July 12 (IANS): Regional carrier TruJet commenced operations on Sunday, connecting Rajahmundry and Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh with Hyderabad.

Civil Aviation Minister P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju flagged off the maiden flight at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport here.

TruJet has begun by offering a comprehensive route network that meets the needs of both business travellers as well as pilgrims, the airline said in a statement.

Promoted by Hyderabad-based aviation entrepreneur Umesh Vankayalapati and Telugu actor Ram Charan Teja, TruJet would run additional season-specific special flights on the Hyderabad-Rajahmundry-Hyderabad route till July 25 in view of the Godavari pushkaram.

The airline plans to connect Hyderabad to Aurangabad from July 26. This would particularly benefit the devotees visiting the holy shrine of Sai Baba.

The airline also plans to fly to Mangaluru, Hubli and other towns in the southern region.

With the commencement of TruJet operations, Hyderabad airport has added an eighth domestic airline.

S.G.K. Kishore, chief executive officer of GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd. (GHIAL), said the new air service to Rajahmundry and Tirupati would strengthen the south-central pilgrimage route from Hyderabad.

TruJet has earlier announced that it has two 72-seater ATR-72 turbo-prop aircraft on lease and plans to induct five planes by next March-end.