The Arunachal Pradesh government is intensifying efforts to secure daily commercial flights between Guwahati and Hollongi Airport (Itanagar) and to introduce new direct air routes connecting the state with southern Indian cities. These demands aim to significantly reduce travel time, improve accessibility for residents, tourists, and business travelers, and accelerate economic integration with the rest of the country.
Hollongi Greenfield Airport, the state’s first major civil aviation facility, has been operational for scheduled services since late 2022. Currently, limited flights operate on the Guwahati–Hollongi sector, mostly on select days of the week, leading to frequent complaints about inconvenience, especially for patients, students, government officials, and emergency travel needs.
Key highlights of the state’s renewed push include:
- Daily Guwahati–Hollongi Operations — Arunachal has formally requested airlines (primarily IndiGo and Alliance Air) and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to increase frequency to daily services in both directions. The state argues that consistent daily connectivity is essential given Hollongi’s strategic location near the capital Itanagar and its growing passenger traffic.
- New Southern Routes — Proposals have been submitted for direct flights linking Hollongi/Itanagar with major southern hubs such as Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kochi. These routes would open up better education, healthcare, employment, and business opportunities for Arunachalees while boosting inbound tourism from southern states.
- Infrastructure & Policy Support — The state has assured full cooperation on ground handling, passenger facilitation, and promotional incentives to make new routes viable. Discussions have also included the possibility of including Hollongi under the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) regional connectivity scheme for subsidized fares on underserved routes.
Officials note that improved air connectivity is critical for a landlocked, mountainous state like Arunachal Pradesh, where road journeys to Guwahati often take 10–12 hours and are frequently disrupted by landslides, floods, or inclement weather.
Enhanced flight options are expected to:
- Reduce dependence on long, arduous road travel
- Attract more domestic tourists to Tawang, Ziro, Pasighat, and other destinations
- Facilitate faster movement of perishable goods, essential supplies, and medical evacuations
- Support the growth of education and healthcare tourism
The state government has engaged directly with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, airline operators, and AAI to expedite approvals and scheduling. Positive responses from stakeholders are anticipated soon, with hopes that daily Guwahati–Hollongi flights could become a reality within the next few months.
This renewed focus on aviation infrastructure aligns with Arunachal Pradesh’s broader vision of bridging geographical isolation through modern transport networks, ultimately contributing to faster socio-economic development in India’s Northeast.
Tags: Arunachal Pradesh Aviation, Hollongi Airport Flights, Guwahati Hollongi Daily Flights, Southern Air Routes Arunachal, Itanagar Airport Connectivity, UDAN Scheme Arunachal, Northeast Air Travel, Pema Khandu Aviation Push, Arunachal Tourism Boost, Regional Connectivity Northeast
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