Sikkim airport gets license, flights all set to take off

The newly constructed airport at Sikkim has received the nod for take-off. The DGCA has issued an aerodrome license to the grren field airport at Pakyong, paving the way for commercial flights to the Himalayan State. “ Airport Authority of India can now commence flights operations from Pakyong Airport”, said an official.

The License issued is for small aircraft like ATR and regional jets and not narrow bodied planes like Boeing 737-800 and Airbus A319/320 due to landslide concerns.

The Sikkim Government has been keen to start the airport ahead of the summer tourist rush. Direct flights are expected to give huge fillip to tourism with travel time is set to reduce by over five hours. At present, tourists fly down to Bagdogra and then drive to Gangtok.

The Airport will also come handy during strife in the Darjeeling Hills when connectivity to Sikkkim gets disrupted