Sikkim to have own airport by December 2016
15 Oct 2015
Sikkim will have its own airport and direct air connectivity by December 2016, with the first airport in the state coming up at Pakyong, 35 km away from capital Gangtok.
The new airport, which will provide direct connectivity to the land-locked state, will also help boost tourism, the mainstay of the state's economy, Sikkim chief minister Pawan Chamling said.
"Preparations are afoot and we are hopeful that the state will have its first airport operational from December 2016," said tourism minister Mahesh Sharma at the 4th International Tourism Mart today.
Currently, the nearest airport is Bagdogra in West Bengal and one has to drive down to Sikkim from Bagdogra.