Sikkim airport eyes early 2018 take-off

Sikkim airport eyes early 2018 take-off

Calcutta: Tourism hotspot Sikkim's first airport is almost ready to roll out the runway carpet for direct ATR flights from Calcutta and Delhi, causing a flutter among the early birds seeking slots to connect Gangtok by air.

Pakyong airport, near the Sikkim capital, is 4,600ft above sea level and just one inspection away from taking flight early next year.
 

"Our infrastructure is in place. We have got the X-Ray machine and other equipment installed. The food court is also ready. Once the final clearance comes, we will issue the tender," airport director R. Manjunatha said from Pakyong.

SpiceJet has bid for flying rights from the airport under the Centre's regional connectivity scheme called UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik). "We have bid for both Calcutta and Delhi. Sikkim is a very popular tourist destination," a SpiceJet official said on Wednesday.

SpiceJet has bid for flying rights from the airport under the Centre's regional connectivity scheme called UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik). "We have bid for both Calcutta and Delhi. Sikkim is a very popular tourist destination," a SpiceJet official said on Wednesday.
07/12/17 Sanjay Mandal/Telegraph