Bringing Sikkim back on India’s aviation map, SpiceJet is all set to resume direct flight operations from the breathtaking Pakyong Airport to Delhi and Kolkata.
One of India’s highest airports will resume its calendars from March 31 providing seamless connectivity to major cities. The flight operations at the state’s only airport were halted six months ago due to operational difficulties on the tabletop runway.
Announcing the commencement of flights, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) on X mentioned, “Mark your calendars for March 31st as SpiceJet Airlines is all set to link this incredibly picturesque destination with two major cities of India, New Delhi and Kolkata.”
The Gurugram-headquartered airline will operate daily flights between Kolkata and Pakyong, while the flights between New Delhi and Pakyong will be operated five days a week, AAI further said. The carrier will operate 78-seater aircraft on both routes.
The flight will take off from Kolkata at 8.05 am and will reach Pakyong at 9.35 am, while the return flight will depart at 10.30 am and reach Kolkata at 12.10 pm. From New Delhi, the flight will take off at 9.45 am and land at the Sikkim airport around 12.40 pm. The return flight will take off at 1.10 pm and reach New Delhi at 4.10 pm, PTI reported.
Inside India’s very own himalayan airport
Nestled in the Himalayan mountains at an altitude of more than 1,400 meters, Pakyong is one of the highest airports and the first greenfield facility in the northeastern region.
Inaugurated in September 2018, the 201-acre facility is Sikkim’s lone airport which was made in nine years. The table-top airport is located two km above Pakyong town at 4646 feet from sea level.
The airport encompasses a 1.75 km runway with a width of 30 meters. It has a 116-meter-long taxiway connecting it to an apron measuring 106 meters by 76 meters that can simultaneously cater to two ATR-72 aircraft.
Integrated structures comprising passenger terminal building, two sophisticated Civilian Firearms Training Scheme (CFTs), an Air traffic control (ATC) tower-cum-fire station,high-intensity runway lights, and parking for over 50 vehicles are some of the unique features of the airport.
The introduction of new flight operations signifies not only a leap forward in regional connectivity but also opens up avenues for socio-economic growth in the region and beyond.