Guwahati: Giving a boost to the regional connectivity in northeast India (NE), the Alliance Air decided to operate its flights in the State of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya and Mizoram. As a part of the new operations, the Alliance Air will arrange air-travels among Lilabari, Ziro, Shillong, Imphal and Aizawl.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma along with Union civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Sunday attended a virtual program to flag off the operations of Alliance Air. Sarma termed it a significant day as the Alliance Air operations will lead to greater air connectivity in the alienated region.
“I consider the launch of these air operations not just an extension of airline routes but more importantly a futuristic gesture, which will go a long way in promoting people to people contact, tourism and trades,” said Sarma.
Talking about Lilabari airport in Lakhimpur district, Sarma termed it as an important corridor to the region. The airport is a corridor to several far eastern tourist places and hence the State government in Dispur has already handed over 84 acres of land for construction of its basic strip and isolation bay, he added.
Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sarma commented that it is because of his policy of transformation through transportation, north-eastern States have lately witnessed unprecedented improvement in connectivity.
“Under PM Modi’s initiative with the help of UDAN scheme all important cities of the region have now been brought together with connectivity schemes. Moreover, under his guidance the work for a new terminal at LGBI airport has been undertaken by the government,” said Sarma.
He also added that the Rupsi airport in Dhubri, which remained defunct since 1984, has been redeveloped under the UDAN scheme and has been in operation since May last year. With the scheme inforce, the aircraft movement across the region from August 2017 to August 2022 rose to 7973 flights,which is an increase of 36 %, stated Sarma.
Union law and justice minister Kiren Rijiju, Union minister of State for civil aviation VK Singh, Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh, Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma, Arunachal Pradesh government chief Pema Khandu, Alliance Air chief executive officer Vineet Sood also attended the flag off ceremony virtually from their respective location.
Northeast operations of Alliance Air flagged off
