Northeast India to most likely have its own airline

The Modi government is soon going to gift the natives of Northeast India a brand new airline, which would be based out of Assam’s capital Guwahati, and would connect all capitals of the seven sister states, along with Sikkim’s capital Gangtok. This is for the first time that the Indian government has decided to launch a subsidiary to provide connectivity within the North-eastern part of the country, many areas of which lose out on potential tourism revenue because of lesser air connectivity.

The to-be launched airlines will be a subsidiary of Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd, and would most likely start its operations with a fleet of 6 fixed-wing planes and 5 helicopters.

The planned subsidiary will have an equity base of Rs 150 crore, with 51% of its shares owned by Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd while the North Eastern Council (NEC) will own the rest 49%.

It was during a meeting of all state chief ministers from the Northeast and Department of North Eastern Region minister Jitendra Singh that the decision to start this airline was taken.

"A proposal has come to the aviation ministry and has also been sent to NEC for approval," a government official told ET on the condition of anonymity.

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