Arunachal CM Urges Enhanced Flight Connectivity at Itanagar's Donyi Polo Airport

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has requested the Union Civil Aviation Ministry to increase flight connectivity to and from the Donyi Polo Airport in Itanagar. In a letter addressed to Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Khandu stated that the move would improve the quality of life, connectivity, tourism, and commerce in the state.

Currently, there are limited flights between Donyi Polo Airport and major hubs like Kolkata and New Delhi, with six and four flights per week, respectively. Khandu emphasized that these flights are often fully booked, leading to high fares and ticket unavailability, which poses severe inconveniences, especially in emergencies. He also noted that the lack of daily flights limits accessibility for visitors and tourists, compelling them to seek alternative travel options.

Furthermore, Khandu pointed out the poor connectivity options to other major cities via Kolkata and New Delhi airports. He highlighted the lack of same-day connections to cities like Bhopal and Kochi, resulting in overnight layovers. Travel times to Ahmedabad and Bengaluru are also extended due to lengthy layovers. He appealed for additional morning departures to New Delhi, daily flights, direct connectivity to major metros like Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, and the reinstatement of services to Guwahati under the UDAN scheme.

In a separate letter to Rahul Bhatia, Group Managing Director of IndiGo, Khandu requested an increase in flights to Delhi, proposing a morning departure from Itanagar. He also sought direct flights to other major cities. He expressed gratitude to IndiGo for initiating flight services from Donyi Polo Airport and instructed the State's Department of Civil Aviation to support IndiGo in enhancing and extending services.

IndiGo has announced that it will operate flights between Itanagar and Kolkata seven days a week starting July 31. Currently, there is no flight service on this route on Wednesdays.

(With inputs from agencies.)