Itanagar: Indian low-cost airline IndiGo on Tuesday successfully test-landed its aircraft at the newly constructed Donyi Polo Airport, Itanagar.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the much-awaited airport in the last part of this month, informed sources said. Modi laid the foundation stone of the airport project on February 9, 2019.
Taking to Twitter, Chief Minister Pema Khandu wrote, “Glad to share @IndiGo6E flight made a successful test landing at Donyi Polo airport, Itanagar today. A milestone moment as we’re making every possible effort to ensure ease of travel in our state. Gratitude to all for contributing their bit to improve people’s ease of life!”
Further tagging the Prime Minister’s Office and Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia while sharing a 1.07-minute video of an IndiGo plane landing at the soon-to-be-opened airport, Khandu said: “It’s so satisfying and fulfilling to see IndiGo flight making a successful test landing at Donyi Polo airport. Ensuring better connectivity to our people is a top priority of my government. Rest assured we’ll ensure we’ve many more flights from Itanagar.”
A welcome water cannon salute was also accorded to the test flight of IndiGo airlines upon its touch down at the newly-built airport.
It may be mentioned that the DGCA last month granted an aerodrome licence for public use to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for the airport located at Hollongi close to, Itanagar paving the way for the operationalisation of commercial flight services.
The airport has been built by the AAI in an area of 685 acres at an estimated cost of Rs 660 crore. It can accommodate 300 passengers during peak hours with eight check-in counters.
The soon-to-be-inaugurated airport will enhance the air connectivity of the landlocked state of Arunachal Pradesh and will connect the Northeastern state with other major cities of the country, besides giving a major boost to its tourism sector, the sources said.
