Air traffic in the North East has also increased by 113 per cent since 2014 – from 852 per week in 2014 to 1,817 per week in 2022 | Photo: Pxfuel
The Donyi Polo Airport in Itanagar is likely to become operational even at night soon with the granting of an all-weather license by the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu announced the all-weather license, opening up the option of night landings.
“So happy to share an important milestone for Arunachal Pradesh! Donyi Polo Airport has been granted an all-weather license, unlocking the option for night landings,” Khandu wrote on X and posted the DGCA letter on the microblogging platform.
The Chief Minister said the development marks a giant step towards ensuring seamless air connectivity to the northeastern state and also opens new avenues for growth.
Donyi Polo Airport in Itanagar, the first greenfield airport in Arunachal Pradesh, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2022.
The airport's name reflects the traditions and rich cultural heritage of Arunachal Pradesh and its age-old reverence for the sun (“Donyi”) and moon (“Polo”).
The airport has been developed over an area of over 690 hectares at a cost of over Rs 640 crore.
With a runway of 2,300 meters, the airport is suitable for operations in all weather conditions. The airport terminal is a modern building that promotes energy efficiency, renewable energy and resource recycling, an official said.
The development of the new airport in Itanagar has not only improved connectivity in the region but also acted as a catalyst for the growth of trade and tourism, boosting economic development.
Flights have started at various airports in five northeastern states – Mizoram, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland – for the first time in 75 years, the official said.
Air traffic in the North East has also increased by 113 per cent since 2014 – from 852 per week in 2014 to 1,817 per week in 2022.
(Only the headline and image of this report may have been reworked by Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is automatically generated from a syndicated feed.)
First print: December 26, 2023 | 10:45 am IST