New Delhi, Oct 18: Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, virtually flagged off 6 routes expanding the aerial connectivity of North-East India on Monday. The routes commencing operations from Monday are Kolkata – Guwahati, Guwahati – Aizawl, Aizawl – Shillong, Shillong – Aizawl, Aizawl – Guwahati, and Guwahati – Kolkata.
Launching the route, Scindia said, “Mizoram is the gateway to North-East India. The city has an immense amount of importance for its tourism & economic sector. We are committed to giving wings to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of making it possible that every state’s uniqueness must be experienced by all citizens of the country. I assure you, that MoS General Dr. V K Singh (Retd.) and I will personally visit Mizoram very soon.”
The minister further mentioned, “I am delighted to mention the fact that Alliance Air’s most ATR aircrafts are deployed on the North-Eastern routes. Today, we are further establishing seamless connectivity across entire North-East India by connecting 4 cities with one flight. This underlines the due importance given to the North-East by the Ministry of Civil Aviation under the leadership of our Prime Minister.”
Meanwhile, taking to Twitter, Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga thanked the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Alliance Air for introducing seamless flight service between Kolkata-Guwahati-Shillong-Aizawl. He tweeted: “For the first time in history air connectivity between Aizawl and Shillong is now in service. This is proof of GOI’s efforts to improve connectivity in NER.”
Thankful to @MoCA_GoI & @allianceair for introducing seamless flight service between Kolkata – Guwahati- Shillong-Aizawl.
For the first time in history air connectivity between Aizawl and Shillong is now in service. This is proof of GOI’s efforts to improve connectivity in NER. pic.twitter.com/UieDWscvny
— Zoramthanga (@ZoramthangaCM) October 18, 2021
Expanding the aerial connectivity of North-East India
The flight service launched on Monday is under the UDAN scheme of the government. Under the scheme, Scindia said, “We have already started 60 airports, and 387 routes, out of which 100 routes are awarded in North East alone, & 50 are already operational.”
In 2014, only 6 airports were operational in North East, which has now grown to 15 airports in a short span of 7 years.
In addition to this, under the KRISHI UDAN Yojna, 16 airports have been identified to enhance the export opportunities of the region establishing dual benefits of enhancement of cargo movements and exports.
New flight service to boost regional tourism
Monday’s flight launch has expanded the aerial connectivity of the North-East by connecting multiple states hitherto not connected via flights.
Eastern India tempts tourists with wonderful verdant valleys, hilly streams, lush green forests, vast tea gardens, snow-capped mountain peaks, mighty rivers, tribal culture, its colourful fairs and festivals. These flights will open a seamless gateway and smooth aerial access option for nature lovers, travellers, tourists etc.
Shillong is surrounded by hills from all sides. The city is famous for the presence of many well-reputed educational institutions; it is the hub of education for entire North-East India. Apart from being the beauty and education centre, Shillong also acts as the gateway to Meghalaya, the state famous for heavy rainfall, caves, tallest waterfalls, beautiful landscapes, and its rich heritage and culture.
Aizawl is known as the home of the highlanders and is the seat of a rich tribal cultural extravaganza and is famous for its handicrafts. The town is blessed with exotic natural beauty.
With these new flights, travellers from Guwahati, Aizawl and Shillong will get multiple options for onward connectivity to the rest of the country.
Schedule of flight 
