On May 22, the aircraft carrying 25 passengers including Chief Minister Pema Khandu became the first commercial flight to land in Arunachal Pradesh. The 42-seater Alliance Airlines ATR aircraft completed the journey from Guwahati to East Siang in Arunachal Pradesh in 1.5 hours, as reported by NDTV.
Landed safely at Pasighat airport few minutes ago flying from Guwahati on Alliance Air. Proud to be part of this historic moment. I am extremely thankful to PM @narendramodi ji and @MoCA_GoI for connecting Arunachal with airways. @PMOIndia @BJP4India pic.twitter.com/jRUZWABjmX
— Pema Khandu (@PemaKhanduBJP) May 21, 2018
The plane took off from Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport, Guwahati around 12:45 pm on Monday and landed at Pasighat Advance Landing Ground (ALG) in East Siang district, 305 kilometres from Itanagar, at 2:15 pm. ALG airport has been supporting operations of some military planes and small aircraft.
“It is a history in the making. With this commercial flight, new vistas of economic development have opened in the region. Besides, the flight services will also open up ample opportunities for the tourism industry.” He said after deboarding the plane. In his tweet, he thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi ‘for connecting Arunachal with airways.’
Safely landed at Pasighat Airport today. @PMOIndia @BJP4India @MoCA_GoI @jayantsinha pic.twitter.com/pF9hE7eQR9
— Pema Khandu (@PemaKhanduBJP) May 21, 2018
Know about it
According to Indian Express, Alliance Air, a subsidiary of Air India, will operate on the Calcutta-Guwahati-Pasighat route thrice a week – Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The commercial flight connectivity solves the major mobility problem Arunachal suffers which also has a negative impact on its hydro-power generation, horticultural, and agricultural potential. The connectivity is expected to boost tourism and open new areas of economic development in the state.
Another airport located 306 kilometres from Itanagar, at Tezu in Lohit district, will be operational soon and besides Alliance Air, Zoom Airlines is too expected to launch its services in the state soon, the chief minister informed. Currently, Arunachal is home to some 120 helipads and 10 ALGs, used for both defence and civil operations.
