North Eastern Council to double flights in NE

Allaying reports that the tender floated for the captive airline evoked lukewarm response, NEC Secretary Falguni Rajkumar said, "We are getting positive indications. There have been queries from more than a dozen companies. We hope to get at least four to five serious contenders till the close of the tender."     

Admitting there were fears of operational viability of the flights, Rajkumar said "the company has to make up in the peak season."     

Combo-flights, which have provision for both passengers and goods, are being contemplated to make the airlines commercially viable, he said.     

Rajkumar also hinted at "good" subsidies and relaxation of norms for the airline to balance the cost-expenditure factor.     

The commercial airline will connect all the landlocked NE states, with the Centre proposing to set up at least 12 more airports in the region apart from upgrading the eleven operational ones.     

Night-landing facilities, which are currently available in Guwahati and Agartala, will be extended to other airports like Imphal, the NEC Secretary said.

The new airline, expected to take off next year, will double the number of flights operating in the region.