Itanagar, Sep 23: Balo Raja, Minister for Civil Aviation, Urban Affairs and Land Management, has written separate demi-official letters to the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Akasa Air and the Chief Executive Officer of Alliance Air, urging them to introduce and realign direct flight services to improve air connectivity for the people of Arunachal Pradesh and its adjoining districts of neighbouring Assam.
In his communication to Akasa Air, the Minister requested the airline to explore the introduction of direct flight services between Itanagar and Kolkata with further connectivity towards Bengaluru,Chennai and Hyderabad. He stated that such a service would provide easier onward connectivity from Arunachal Pradesh, not only  to major southern cities but also to other important destinations across the country.
Raja also noted that there is a possibility of discontinuation of the existing direct service operated by IndiGo following the introduction of its new Itanagar–Guwahati–Kolkata sector from October this year. He emphasized that maintaining convenient air links from the State capital is essential for passengers, students, patients, officials, tourists and business travellers from Arunachal Pradesh and neighbouring areas.
In a separate letter to Alliance Air, the Minister requested the airline to examine the feasibility of introducing its ATR 72 aircraft for direct connectivity between Itanagar and Kolkata, which would facilitate easier travel for the people of this region, who frequently visit major destinations for education, healthcare and business purposes. He also requested Alliance Air to consider diverting its existing Dornier services to destinations such as Ziro, Tuting, Anini, Pasighat and Tezu, where airports and Advanced Landing Grounds are already available and operational, in view of the proposed direct IndiGo services between Itanagar and Guwahati.
The Minister expressed hope that both airlines would give due consideration to the request in the larger interest of improving regional connectivity, boosting tourism and trade, and ensuring easier movement of people from remote and strategically important areas of Arunachal Pradesh.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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