Sky King Aviation gets NoC to operate in NE

Aizawl, Sep 13 (UNI) Ministry of Civil Aviation has granted the initial No Objection Certificate (NoC) to Sky King Aviation, a private airliner of India to operate exclusively in the North-East region.

Airport Authority of India (AAI) sources here today said that as part of the initiatives to improve air connectivity in NE states, the ministry has accepted Sky King's plan to operate from Agartala, Aizwal, Dibrugarh, Guwahati, Leelabari, Silchar, Dimapur, Imphal, Shillong and Tura.

Another proposal of Surya Air for non-scheduled operations with short haul feeder air services in NE states is also under active consideration of the ministry. Surya Air has proposed to provide air connectivity to Agartala, Aizwal, Bagdogra, Dimapur, Imphal, Leelabari and Silchar.

AAI operates and manages 22 airports and civil enclaves in the 8 States in NE and AAI has a plan to spend about Rs 125 crores on modernization, upgradation and improvement of facilities of the airports in the region during tenth five year plan.

New terminal buildings have been completed at Leelabari and Dimapur. Expansion of Terminal building at Guwahati and Silchar have also been completed. Moreover strengthening and extension of runway for A-320 operation has been completed at Dimapur, Agartala, Imphal and Leelabari airports.

AAI has also prepared a detailed project report for construction of a Greenfield airport in Sikkim at an estimated cost of Rs 340 crores and Government of Sikkim has requested AAI to take up this work as deposit work and assured to provide Rs 100 crores along with the required land.

AAI has prepared a detailed Techno-feasibility report along with estimate on the request of State Government and has forwarded it to Government of Sikkim and Planning Commission. The funding of the project is yet to be finalized by the Government.

Apart from that the sites for construction of Greenfield airport near Kohima and Itanagar have been identified of for ATR-72 operation, the sources added.

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