PATNA, Aug. 25 -- Bihar will get a new international air link with IndiGo set to launch a non-stop Gaya-Bangkok service from October 26, strengthening connectivity between Bodh Gaya and Southeast Asia under state government's international destination policy, officials said on Monday. The twice-weekly service, operating on Mondays and Thursdays, is expected to boost Buddhist tourism and provide travellers from Bihar with direct access to Thailand and onward connections to several destinations across Southeast Asia. "The Bangkok-Gaya flight (6E 1084) will depart Bangkok at 10.15 am and arrive in Gaya at 12.15 pm. The return Gaya-Bangkok service (6E 1083) will leave Gaya at 1.15 pm and reach Bangkok at 5.50 pm. IndiGo will operate the route with an Airbus A320," said Kumud Ranjan of Patna-based International Air Transport Association -approved Mamta Travels & Caterers. "The international destination policy is our endeavour to take Bihar beyond its traditional boundaries and directly connect the state with the world," said Nilesh Ramchandra Deore, secretary, Bihar civil aviation department. "By creating direct international air connectivity from Gaya and Patna, we aim to make Bihar more accessible to global tourists, particularly pilgrims and travellers visiting our rich Buddhist, spiritual and cultural heritage," Deore added. From Bangkok, travellers from Gaya will have onward connectivity to destinations including Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Bali and Jakarta, besides wider networks across Indonesia, Vietnam and Cambodia. The IndiGo-Garuda Indonesia partnership further expands the potential network, offering access to 17 destinations in Indonesia through key gateways including Singapore, Bangkok, Jakarta and Bali, said a government statement. Officials said the Gaya-Bangkok link could therefore serve not only Thai-bound passengers but also Buddhist pilgrims and tourists travelling across the wider Southeast Asian circuit, while offering onward international connectivity to destinations including Australia....