Shillong, Dec 21: Delhi Chalo’, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose had given his clarion, but today as the first direct flight to Delhi flew, this has become an aim to promote Tourism.
Delhi is not Far anymore’… What can be the best Christmas gift for the people of the state? A person living in Shillong no longer has to travel three hours to catch a flight to Delhi from the Guwahati airport.
History is made today!
The 1st direct flight from Shillong to Delhi was inaugurated by Hon’ble Transport Minister, Sh. S. Dhar, Hon’ble MLA Sh. G. B. Lyngdoh & officials.Gratitude to Hon’ble PM @narendramodi Ji & Hon’ble Minister of @MoCA_GoI, Sh. @HardeepSPuri Ji pic.twitter.com/1E09of1deh
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) December 21, 2020
The new-born regional airline, FlyBig airline on Monday flew from Delhi – Umroi – Delhi. The flight was flagged off by Transport Minister Snaiwbhalang Dhar, who boarded the flight from Delhi and arrived in Shillong with other passengers.
Calling it a historic occasion, Dhar said, “The direct flight to Delhi will be operational twice a week, adding that the flight service will again resume from January 4 next year.”
He further expressed hope that Flybig would be operational daily once demand increases.
Dhar stated that the state government had floated the tender for the direct flight to Delhi earlier in February this year.
Umroi Airport Director Manish Agarwal told reporters that it is a big day for Meghalaya as the first flight took off from Delhi to Shillong and from Shillong to Delhi.
“It is a big day for Meghalaya as well as Shillong Airport, after almost nine months our commercial flight has landed and with the Delhi direct connectivity of Meghalaya which was a long demand from Meghalaya, the State Government has taken an active interest in calling EOI and requested for proposal and the finalize fly big in this particular Delhi Shillong Delhi route.”
He said that the flight will boost tourism in the State.
“Today the day has come, today the tourism has opened in the state of Meghalaya and as a reward to the opening of tourism, a flight is getting operated from Delhi directly to Shillong,” he said.
To commence operations immediately, Flybig is making arrangements to operate a Bombardier Q400 aircraft (which is as per the Agreement) available as charter. The direct flight to Delhi will be operational twice a week, adding that the flight service will again resume from January 4 next year.
Asked about the feasibility of long distant aircraft operating from Shillong Airport, Agarwal said, “It is Q400 aircraft that is operating from Delhi to Shillong that is Bombardier and is much more capable having a capacity of 75 seats and it has range, it has the endurance to operate between Delhi to Shillong Direct, that why it is operating from today.”
“It is much feasible because the state is connected to the National capital, secondly it is catering to the runway availability, so without any infrastructure requirement the state is connected to the National capital with a particular type of aircraft Q400 and that’s an achievement,” he added.
Flybig Chief Executive Officer, Capt. Srinivas Rao informed that arrangements have been made to operate a 75 seater Bombardier Q400 charter for the direct flight.
Flybig CEO said the direct flight to Delhi would operate twice a week, adding that the flight service will again resume from January 4.
With this the Tourism in the state has opened once again after a period of nine months, Shillong gets closer to Delhi after a direct flight is introduced, now instead of wasting hours to reach Guwahati people can reach Delhi in just about 3 hours.
