WB govt urges airlines to exploit facilities at Bagdogra

With the availability of night landing facilities at Bagdogra, the West Bengal government is confident of positive response from many airlines to make it a major hub to boost tourism and development in north Bengal.
"The operators are encouraged with IAF's decision allowing night landing facilities at Bagdogra," state Transport Minister Madan Mitra claimed here today.
Earlier in the day, Mitra had held a meeting with officials of a number of airlines comprising Air India, Jet Airways, Spicejet, Indigo and GoAir.
The airlines have sought some time for market surveys and plans for route alignment before beginning their operation linking Bagdogra, Mitra said.

The minister said Air India has been asked to show the way by operating at least one flight in the evening immediately on a major route from Bagdogra and AI assured to consider it, he claimed.
Mitra said he had also asked the airlines operators to consider other airports, including Cooch Behar, in the region while thinking about route alignment.

Helicopter service have already been introduced connecting some small air strips in the state, he said.
Principal Secretary Transport Alapan Banerjee said Chief Secretary Sanjay Mitra had already written to Air India CMD and urged the national carrier to develop Bagdogra as an important hub connecting neighbouring countries and South East Asia.

Air operation is possible immediately with its existing infrastructure at Bagdogra but in the long term it requires some upgrading of navigational and communication aids for more efficient landing and take off after sun set, he said.
Druk Air has taken keen interest in operating on Paro-Bagdogra route, while Indigo assured to take a bold step, he said, adding, "Even Kathmandu and Bangkok are being considered by some airlines for their operation."
Banerjee said he had discussed the infrastructure of Bagdogra airport with the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) at a seminar in Bangkok recently.