All clear?

After a prolonged ten-month closure, Sikkim’s only commercial airport—Pakyong—is set to resume operations from March 30, 2025. While this is a welcome development, the persistent disruptions in flight services at Pakyong highlight the critical need for long-term infrastructural and operational solutions. Sikkim’s economic and social well-being hinges significantly on seamless air connectivity, and its sole aviation hub cannot afford to be trapped in a cycle of closures and uncertainty.

The suspension of flights since June 2024 due to poor visibility and adverse weather conditions exposed the vulnerability of the airport’s operational framework. Licensed as a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) aerodrome, Pakyong Airport requires at least five kilometers of ground visibility, a requirement often unmet during the monsoon. Even the implementation of the Required Navigation Performance (RNP) approach in 2021, which reduced the visibility criteria to 2400 meters, has not been enough to prevent frequent cancellations. The absence of an Instrument Landing System (ILS), due to hilly terrain and spatial constraints, further exacerbates the problem, leaving Sikkim at the mercy of unpredictable weather.

The consequences of these interruptions extend beyond mere inconvenience. Sikkim’s booming tourism industry, a vital economic pillar, suffers immensely when flights are suspended. Tourists, who prefer the ease of air travel, often opt for alternative destinations when faced with unreliable connectivity. This directly impacts local businesses, hotels, and transport services, leading to economic losses. Furthermore, the lack of a fully operational airport limits emergency medical evacuations, hampers trade, and isolates Sikkim from the rest of the country during crucial times.

While the central government has acknowledged the challenges posed by Pakyong’s geographical constraints, its responses remain inadequate. The feasibility study for the installation of GAGAN-based navigation aids is a step forward, but its implementation must be prioritized. Additionally, alternatives like advanced radar-assisted landing technologies should be explored. If the installation of an ILS remains infeasible, authorities must aggressively pursue viable alternatives that ensure uninterrupted flight operations year-round.

The persistent disruptions also highlight a broader issue—the inadequate planning and execution of aviation projects in geographically sensitive regions. Pakyong Airport was inaugurated with much fanfare in 2018, but its design and infrastructure failed to fully account for the region’s challenging weather conditions. A project of such significance cannot afford to be rendered ineffective for months at a stretch. The Centre must take decisive action in improving the airport’s operational resilience, including revisiting long-term infrastructure enhancements rather than settling for temporary fixes.

Sikkim’s Lok Sabha MP Indra Hang Subba and Rajya Sabha MP D.T. Lepcha have rightly pushed for urgent solutions. However, beyond parliamentary discussions, what Sikkim truly needs is an unwavering commitment from the Civil Aviation Ministry to ensure Pakyong Airport remains fully functional. Anything less would be a disservice to the people of Sikkim and its economy.