IAF Dornier 228
Photo: Northeast Now

Sikkim’s Pakyong airport has finally obtained the license on Friday to start commercial operations.

Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu took to Twitter to announce the development, saying the licence would pave the way for direct air connectivity to the State, giving boost to tourism and economic growth.

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He tweeted, “The Pakyong (Gangtok) Airport at Sikkim got the license today for scheduled operations. It’s an engineering marvel at a height of more than 4,500 ft in a tough terrain. Will pave way for direct air connectivity to our lovely State of Sikkim, giving boost to tourism & economic growth.”

The Pakyong Airport, about 30 km from the State capital of Gangtok, will be the 100th operational airport when it begins operation, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha had said on Wednesday.

SpiceJet has been granted permission to fly to Pakyong from Kolkata under the Civil Aviation Ministry’s regional connectivity scheme. The airport was built at an estimated cost of Rs 350 crore.