Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Tuesday flagged off SpiceJet’s direct flight services from Imphal to Guwahati, Kolkata and Mumbai at Bir Tikendrajit International Airport.
This marks SpiceJet’s first-ever operations to the Manipur capital. At the same time, it significantly expands air connectivity to the Northeast, especially as the state continues to face limited links with major Indian cities.
SpiceJet has started daily services to Imphal from Kolkata, Guwahati and Mumbai using Boeing 737 aircraft. According to the airline, passengers from Kolkata and Guwahati will get non-stop flights. Meanwhile, those flying from Mumbai will travel on a single aircraft with a brief stopover in Kolkata which removes the need to change planes.
During the launch, the Chief Minister handed over the boarding pass to the first passenger of the SpiceJet flight to Guwahati.
Addressing the gathering, Singh linked the new flights to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat. He said the initiative will help advance Viksit Manipur. He also noted that air travel has become the preferred mode of transport for people travelling outside the state during the ongoing crisis. At the same time, he asked the airline to review airfares to ensure they remain affordable.
Several dignitaries attended the event. These included Lok Sabha MP Dr Bimol Akoijam, MLAs Tongbram Robindro Singh and Khashim Vashum, Additional Chief Secretary Anurag Bajpai, Transport Director Khumanthem Diana, and Imphal West SP Ksh. Shivakanta Singh. Officials of the Airports Authority of India were also present.
On the sidelines of the programme, the Chief Minister and other dignitaries took part in a candle-lighting ceremony, ribbon cutting and cake cutting to mark the launch.