Union minister assures full support for resumption of flights from Pakyong Airport

GANGTOK, : Under the chairmanship of minister for Tourism & Civil Aviation, Tshering Thendup Bhutia, a delegation from Sikkim actively participated in the 3rd North East Aviation Summit 2025 held in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh. The Sikkim delegation included C.S. Rao, additional chief secretary, Tenzing Gelay, additional director, and Sonam Rinchen, deputy director, an official release informs.

The summit, a significant event in the aviation sector for the North Eastern Region, was chaired by Union minister for Civil Aviation, Rammohan Naidu, and hosted by Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu.

The Sikkim delegation took this opportunity to present the State’s pressing aviation concerns, with particular emphasis on the resumption of commercial operations at Pakyong Airport, which has remained non-operational for the past two years. The delegation highlighted that restoring flight services is crucial to ensure improved connectivity for the people of Sikkim and to support the growing tourism sector in the region.

In a one-on-one interactive session with the Sikkim delegates, the Union minister, along with senior officials of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, extended full support for the resumption of flights at Pakyong Airport by providing a Bombardier Q400 aircraft, the release informs.

This step seeks to address the long-pending request of the State Government to make the airport operational.

Furthermore, the Union minister assured that the rent charges for the airport equipment used during earlier operations at Pakyong Airport would be waived off.

As a short-term solution, the State has proposed immediate efforts to establish temporary flight connectivity. Simultaneously, a long-term plan is being pursued, which includes the expansion of the existing runway at Pakyong Airport from 1.75 km to 2.75 km. This expansion would enable the airport to accommodate larger aircraft, including Airbus and Boeing models, thereby enhancing the State’s accessibility and economic prospects, the release mentions.

The Government of Sikkim remains committed to strengthening air connectivity and is optimistic that its continuous engagement with the Ministry of Civil Aviation will soon lead to the resumption of services at Pakyong Airport, the release adds.