COIMBATORE: M Ravikumar, a successful textile businessman hailing from Devarayampalauam, a small village near Avinashi, was awestruck by his first flight journey five years ago.

“The whole experience, including entering the airport, sitting inside the flight, experiencing the take-off, flying among the clouds, looking down and seeing buildings looking like miniature toys and the landing stunned me,” the 44-year-old man said.

On that day, Ravikumar decided to gift his dear ones the thrill of flying. Thanks to him, 120 people from Devarayampalauam boarded the 3pm Air Indian flight to Chennai from the city airport on Saturday.

The airport wore a festive look when the group got down from two buses and stood in a queue for security clearance. “The group included six generations of my family. As I gave preference to old people, the group had people between the age of 50 and 101 years,” said the beaming businessmen, who could not stop smiling as he helped a 101-year-old grandmother walk into the airport.

The passengers told TOI that the entire village has been celebrating the trip like a festival from the last week. “When Ravi informed us about the trip three months ago, we could not believe our ears. Though he does a lot for us, this trip was something we never expected,” said 57-year-old Valliammal. “The trip is all the village has been talking about, including itinerary, what to expect and things to pack, among others. The whole village turned up to send us off.”

The group does not just include Ravikumar’s relatives, but some neighbours also. “I have no husband or children, who could give me such an experience. I was so scared of flying till I reached the airport. Now I am excited,” said 50-year-old Jamila, a family friend.

Sivagami, a 50-year-old farmer, said she never even dreamt of flying. “I never dreamt of even stepping into an airport.”

The trip cost Ravikumar Rs 4lakh. He struggled a lot to arrange the mammoth trip, he told TOI. “I began planning it five years ago, but because it was such a large group, the ticket prices shot up. Then my uncle, who is working at the airport, suggested this flight, helped apply for senior citizen concession for at least for 20 people,” he said.

The trip includes a visit to Kanchipuram, Vellore and Thiruvannamalai through Saturday evening and Sunday. The passengers will return to Avinashi by bus from Thiruvannamalai on Sunday night.