Obtaining license, Sikkim’s Pakyong Airport joins India’s aviation network
Sikkim, May 5: Today in good news for North East’s aviation sector, Sikkim’s Pakyong Airport obtained a license to start commercial operation. With this Sikkim’s Pakyong Airport becomes India’s 100th functional airport.
Pakyong airport, an engineering marvel achieved at an altitude of 4500 ft., too gets licensed for scheduled flights. Air connectivity to these regions will stimulate growth, said Aviation Ministry.
The state of Sikkim joins the aviation network of the country. Sikkim was the only state remaining without a functional airport. The airport was built at an estimated cost of Rs 350 Crores and was hailed an engineering marvel given the inhospitable terrain and the geographical location of the state.
Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu took to Twitter to announce the development, saying the license would pave the way for direct air connectivity to the state, giving boost to tourism and economic growth.
“The Pakyong (Gangtok) Airport at Sikkim got license today for scheduled operations. It’s an engineering marvel at a height of more than 4,500 ft in a tough terrain. Will pave way for direct air connectivity to our lovely state of Sikkim, giving boost to tourism & economic growth,” he tweeted.
Pakyong airport, about 30 km from the state capital of Gangtok, will be the 100th operational airport when it begins operation, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha had informed earlier. Low-cost airline SpiceJet has been granted permission to fly to Pakyong from Kolkata under the Civil Aviation Ministry’s regional connectivity scheme.