National carrier Air India would resume operation on the Kolkata-Imphal-Aizawl route from Thursday.
State principal consultant for civil aviation, Wing Commander J. Lalhmingliana said that Air India would operate Airbus 319 on the Kolkata-Imphal-Aizawl sector thrice a week- Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday starting from Thursday.
Though the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation announced the resumption of domestic flights in a calibrated manner from May 25, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee did not allow operation of any domestic flights between May 25 and 27 from Kolkata airport as it has been hit by cyclone Amphan, he said.
“Among the three airlines, only Air India will resume operation on Kolkata-Imphal-Aizawl route from May 28,” Lalhmingliana said.
He said that no outsiders, barring those who obtained special permission from the state home department, will be allowed to enter Mizoram by flights as the state government has temporarily suspended issuance of Inner Line Permit (ILP) on arrival at the Lengpui airport.
According to Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the state government, any stranded state residents intending to return by flight, will have to obtain movement permit from the state government before their arrival at Lengpui airport, he said.
He said that another two airlines –GoAir and IndiGo were yet to intimate their schedule for recommencement of flight service from Aizawl.
GoAir, which operates on the Kolkatta-Guwahati-Aizawl sector, had earlier said in a notification that it would resume operation from September.
On March 1, IndiGo launched operation on Aizawl-Guwahati-Agartala route.
Meanwhile, under secretary in the state home department Zahmingthanga told this correspondent that they will write to Union Ministry of Civil Aviation to arrange additional flights on May 29 and 30.
He said that the state home department has so far received applications for movement permit from 106 stranded residents, who intended to return by flight and permits were yet to be issued.
He added that the state home department will issue movement permit in group for air travellers once final lists are obtained from resident commissioners or deputy resident commissioners of Mizoram houses in various cities, where they are stranded.
The state government has deployed medical team and installed thermal camera at the Lengpui airport in view of stranded people, who are arriving at the airport.
The airport was re-opened on Monday after it has been closed for two months with the suspension of domestic flight by the Centre on March 24.