NEC to launch air service in NE states

Aizawl, Nov 7: The North Eastern Council (NEC) has decided to launch air connectivity exclusively for northeastern states including Sikkim, aviation officials here said today.

They informed the feasibility study of the proposed project has been done by Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Limited (IL&FS) and the report is scheduled to be discussed in NEC meeting on November 15-16 governors and chief ministers of NE states will attend the meeting.

A private airline operator, which has reportedly run successful operations in Bhutan and Nepal, has agreed to venture into the region while another operator was also being approached for introduction of services in the region, they added.

Small planes like the Beechcraft have been proposed for operations to ten locations of northeast at the initial stage and the network would later be extended to nine other destinations of the region.

According to NEC sources, IL&FS has reportedly asked for government aid of about Rs 32 crore for the first three years, after which, the airlines operations will be sustainable.

The project is targeted at foreign tourists and local businessmen who are forced to commute to Guwahati by road, or wait for larger flights that are often delayed.

''Two hubs, Guwahati and Agartala, will be proposed for connecting flights to Delhi and three other major cities of the country'', sources added that under the project, small airstrips can be used and a few closed airports will also be reopened.

UNI