FlyBig, a new-born regional airline is all set to start the Delhi-Umroi-Delhi flight from December 21, but the airline is yet to have its own aircraft on this route.
Meghalaya transport minister Sniawbhalang Dhar would represent the state government in the inaugural flight.
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However, to commence its operations, FlyBig is making arrangements to operate a Bombardier Q400 aircraft twice a week, directly from Umroi airport to Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi.
Umroi airport is located in Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district, about 30 km from Shillong city.
FlyBig (Big Charter Pvt. Ltd), India’s new scheduled commuter airline was awarded the contract for this route through a tender floated by the Meghalaya Transport Corporation at the beginning of the year.
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“Due to Covid-19 restrictions, FlyBig would take some time to operate its own aircraft on this route. However, to commence operations immediately, FlyBig is making arrangements to operate a Bombardier Q400 aircraft (which is as per an agreement) available as charter.
“Additional sectors and flights out of Shillong are planned in the subsequent months,” a government communiqué issued on Thursday evening said.
The communiqué said that the flight would depart on December 21 from New Delhi at 10 am and arrive at Umroi Airport at 1.10 pm.
It would depart again from Shillong at 1.50 pm and arrive in Delhi at 5:00 pm.
The Meghalaya government, through the Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC) had floated a tender inviting eligible airline operators to operate direct flights between Delhi and Shillong twice a week for a period of three months.
The contract may be extended based on the performance of the successful bidder and availability of demand by passengers.
The plane should be between 40 and 80-seater capacity aircraft for Delhi–Shillong–Delhi sector.