Itanagar, Sept 4, 2025: A Sikkim delegation led by Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Shri Tshering Thendup Bhutia participated in the 3rd North East Aviation Summit 2025, held in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh. The summit was chaired by Union Civil Aviation Minister Shri Rammohan Naidu and hosted by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Pema Khandu, with participation from other North Eastern Chief Ministers, Civil Aviation Ministers, and senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA).
The Sikkim delegation - comprising Additional Chief Secretary Shri C.S. Rao, Additional Director Shri Tenzing Gelay, and Deputy Director Shri Sonam Rinchen - placed strong emphasis on the urgent need to resume operations at Pakyong Airport, which has been non-functional for the past two years. They underlined that restoring flight services is vital for Sikkim’s connectivity and to sustain the state’s booming tourism sector.
In an interactive session, the Union Minister assured full support, announcing that a Bombardier Q400 aircraft would be provided to restart services at Pakyong. He further confirmed that rent charges for previously used airport equipment would be waived, easing the financial burden on the state.
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As part of a phased approach, the Sikkim government has proposed immediate measures to establish temporary flight connectivity while pursuing a long-term expansion plan. The proposal seeks to extend Pakyong’s existing runway from 1.75 km to 2.75 km, enabling larger aircraft such as Airbus and Boeing models to operate, thereby boosting accessibility and economic growth.
Expressing optimism, the state government reiterated its commitment to enhancing air connectivity and said that ongoing collaboration with MoCA will pave the way for the long-awaited resumption of commercial services at Pakyong Airport.
