New Delhi: Union Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu and Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Wednesday flagged off three new Alliance Air flights at Imphal Airport. The new routes connect Imphal to Kolkata and Guwahati, respectively, while also adding a third daily flight between Imphal and Dimapur, a PIB press release stated.
These flights are part of a joint effort by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Manipur state government, with Viability Gap Funding (VGF) provided by the state. The initiative aims to bolster connectivity, trade, and tourism in Manipur, according to the ministry.
Speaking at the virtual event, Naidu emphasized the central government’s commitment to the development of the Northeast region, stating that these new flights will create jobs, improve the investment climate, and ultimately benefit the people of Manipur. He praised the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for prioritizing inclusive growth through initiatives like UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) and Act East. He also stated that with three flights of Alliance Air to and from Imphal, Manipur will witness a boost to its “3 Ts”: trade, travel, and tourism, ultimately delivering “3 Es”: economy, employment, and empowerment to the youth of Manipur.
Singh expressed gratitude to the central government and Alliance Air for enhancing air connectivity in Manipur. He highlighted the multiple flight timings offered by Alliance Air, which will provide greater convenience for travelers. The chief minister assured full state support for upcoming air connectivity projects.
Since the launch of the UDAN scheme, the Northeast region has seen the operationalization of 10 airports and two heliports, along with 90 RCS routes, including 12 helicopter routes. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has also developed a Master Plan 2047 for airport infrastructure development in the region, including Imphal Airport.