<ul><li><keyword id="3658" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword>’s 100th airport, the <keyword id="3200271" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pakyong-airport">Pakyong airport</keyword>, began commercial flight operations today.</li><li>The north-eastern state in India, <keyword id="48118" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sikkim">Sikkim</keyword>, finally has its own airport located 4,500 feet above sea level. </li><li>The <keyword id="4788452" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="pakyong">Pakyong</keyword> airport is only 60 km from the India-China border with one of tallest reinforced soil walls in the world.</li></ul>If tourists wanted to visit the north-eastern state of Sikkim, normally they would land at <keyword id="6357783" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="West-bengal">West Bengal</keyword>’s <keyword id="1726182" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bagdogra-airport">Bagdogra airport</keyword> and then travel the rest of the 124 km by bus or car to reach Sikkim’s capital city of Gangtok. But, that’s set to change with Pakyong airport <a href="http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=183645" data-type="tilCustomLink" style="">opening for business today</a>. The first flight to Sikkim’s first airport took off today morning from Kolkata to land in Pakyong, which is only 33 km from Gangtok. Also known for its inauguration by Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> as ‘India’s 100th airport’, the site is located 4,500 feet above sea level. In the works since 2009, with the Pakyong airport launching, every single state in India now has an airport within its borders. Though that may not be too impressive in comparison to some of the highest airports in the world that reach heights of nearly 15,000 feet above sea level, like Daocheng Yading Airport, it’s still an engineering accomplishment located amidst the <keyword id="52569" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="himalayas">Himalayas</keyword>. Construction at 4,500 feet Rather than romantic weather and hazy clouds, the reality for engineers includes facing the harsh climatic conditions at that height including the Indian monsoon. The Pakyong airport has been constructed by carving into the mountain face and building one of the world’s reinforced soil walls. The key was ensuring that the site was stable to house a 1,700-meter runway that’s 3 meters wide. The entire area covers 990 acres of land, with a 3,000 square meter terminal building that can handle 100 passengers at a time. Even getting the requisite materials up to the site was an issue due to the narrow mountain roads. Security, though not a direct concern, was definitely on the mind with the airport being only 60 km from the India-China border. It took 11 years of planning, construction and delays to finally bring the Pakyong airport into being costing the government upward of ₹6 billion. With travelling to Sikkim being more accessible now, the project is expected to spell growth for the state’s tourism industry.

Every state in India now has a functional airport

According to <keyword id="19911893" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Meesho" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Meesho" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Meesho">Meesho</keyword>'s recent ‘Smart shopper report’, <keyword id="19919711" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gen-Z" source="keywords">Gen Z</keyword> is rapidly embracing <keyword id="19990771" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="e-commerce" source="keywords">e-commerce</keyword>, with one in every three Meesho users being less than 25 years old. This makes them the fastest-growing demographic on the platform. The report also highlights that mass consumers, who typically make low-price purchases, account for around 80% of the total online shopping population in India. Reports suggest that by 2030, mass consumers, who are constantly seeking value for price, will dominate the retail market, constituting 65% of total consumers. At present, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are leading the way, when it comes to user growth in e-commerce, underscoring the significant untapped potential these states hold. The report also delves deeper into the evolving habits and preferences of mass consumers. Meesho has observed that users from Tier IV and smaller cities are the most frequent repeat shoppers under categories like women’s fashion, footwear, and baby care. Additionally, over 80% of Indian online shoppers now hail from tier-2 cities, and beyond, which include places like Ambur, Rourkela, Sangli, and Zirakpur. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112333596" title="Zomato announces new feature for cash on delivery orders and it can help solve a huge problem" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> <h2>Influencer-driven <keyword id="3295571" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="e-commerce-boom" source="Orion">e-commerce boom</keyword> in North-East</h2>Furthermore, the report reveals that customers in northeastern states of India such as Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim are increasingly basing their e-commerce purchases choices on content generated by influencers, making up for an impressive 40% of all orders from these states. Meesho has also witnessed greater digital inclusion, with a growing number of content creators emerging from some of the most remote regions of India, like Bazpur (Uttarakhand), Kotputli (Rajasthan), and Pakyong (Sikkim). With the growing popularity of content creators, products like selfie sticks, ring lights, microphones, and tripods have also quickly risen to top the electronics category. Another notable feature Meesho identified was a significant rise in the adoption of vernacular languages and voice search, with rates increasing by 162% and 40%, respectively. This surge reflects mass consumers' strong preference for regional languages and user-friendly features. Tier 2 and other, smaller cities have significantly outpaced Tier 1 cities when it comes to ordering electronic accessories, making double the amount of purchases made by their bigger, urban counterparts. Meesho has also seen substantial demand for products like bluetooth headphones and earphones, power banks, smart speakers, screen magnifiers, and keyboards from diverse Indian cities such as Alwar (Rajasthan), Bettiah (Bihar), Pursurah (West Bengal), Rajahmundry (Andhra Pradesh), Sindkheda (Maharashtra), and Sirsa (Haryana). Among the fastest-growing categories on Meesho are books, which grew by 148% YoY (year-on-year basis) growth, office supplies and stationery (137% YoY growth), home improvement (112% YoY growth), furnishings (92% YoY growth), and pet supplies (68% YoY growth). There has also been a surge in demand for personal care and grooming essentials. <h2>A shift towards quick draping</h2> In just six months, over 10,00,000 saree shapers and more than 60,000 ready-to-wear sarees were sold, indicating that consumers far prefer a quicker, easier approach to traditional draping. There was a clear penchant for traditional and modern alike, since Banarasi was the most sought after fabric, followed by chiffon and organza. <h2>Self-care on the rise</h2>With increasingly hectic schedules, mass consumers are also prioritising self-care. As a result, there has been a rise in at-home salon treatments, with Meesho reporting sales of 6,00,000 face packs, over 4,00,000 facial kits, 3,00,000 wax strips, 4,00,000 press-on nails, and 4,00,000 nail paints this year. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112364583" title="Ola wants to re-enter the quick commerce business to take on Blinkit and Swiggy Instamart" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> Not just this, yoga also made it to list, when it came to self-care. Meesho reported selling about 20 lakh yoga mats in just 6 months. And not just that, skipping and hula hooping also seems to be coming back in vogue, with consumers buying around 2 lakh skipping ropes and 75,000 hula hoops this year alone. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/article/5-lessons-startup-founders-can-learn-from-tech-mogul-elon-musk/articleshow/112375922.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">5 lessons startup founders can learn from tech mogul Elon Musk</a>

India’s e-commerce boom: Gen Z, small cities, and self-care trends on the rise, says Meesho

Fourteen people have died and 102 others, including 22 army personnel, were missing after the cloudburst over Lhonak Lake in North <keyword id="48118" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sikkim" source="Orion">Sikkim</keyword> triggered a flash flood in the <keyword id="763269" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="teesta-river" source="Orion">Teesta river</keyword> basin, officials said on Thursday. So far, 2,011 people have been rescued, while the calamity that happened on Wednesday affected 22,034 people, the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) said in its latest bulletin. The state government has set up 26 relief camps in the four affected districts, it said. A total of 1,025 people are taking shelter in the eight relief camps in <keyword id="83680" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gangtok" source="Orion">Gangtok</keyword> district, while the number of inmates at the 18 other relief camps was not available immediately. The flash flood in the Teesta river, triggered by the cloudburst in Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim, caused accumulation of huge quantity of water, which turned towards Chungthang dam destroying the power infrastructure before moving downstream in spate, flooding towns and villages. The flood destroyed 11 bridges in the state, with eight bridges getting washed away in Mangan district alone. Two bridges were destroyed in Namchi and one in Gangtok. Water pipelines, sewage lines and 277 houses, both kuchcha and concrete, have been destroyed in the four affected districts. Chungthang town bore the maximum brunt of the flood with 80 per cent of it getting severely affected. The NH-10, considered the lifeline of the state, sustained extensive damage at several places. Seven people died in Pakyong district, four people died in Mangan and three persons lost their lives in Gangtok, according to the SSDMA. Among the 102 missing persons, 59 are from Pakyong, including the army personnel. Twenty-two are missing in Gangtok, 16 in Mangan and five people are missing in Namchi. A total of 26 people sustained injuries, the SSDMA said. Defence spokesperson Lt Col Mahendra Rawat said the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) was helping the state in the rescued operations in Chungthang and Mangan, where four critical bridges have been severely damaged. "More than 200 people have been moved to safer areas by the BRO in spite of continuous heavy rainfall and extremely bad weather," he said. "Search and rescue operations for the missing army personnel are still on," he added. About 10,000 people have been affected by the calamity in the Mangan district, while 6,895 people were affected in Pakyong, 2,579 in Namchi and 2,570 people in Gangtok.

Sikkim flash flood: Toll rises to 14, 102 people missing

As many as 43 people, including army <keyword id="6363957" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="soldiers" source="Orion">soldiers</keyword> and <keyword id="43791" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="civilians" source="Orion">civilians</keyword>, have been reported missing after South Lhonak Lake, situated in North West <keyword id="48118" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sikkim" source="Orion">Sikkim</keyword> experienced a glacial lake outburst and triggered flash floods due to incessant rainfall in the region. Around 3,000-4,000 people were evacuated last night in and around Rangpo and 5 relief camps were also opened in the district, said an official. According to Sikkim District Magistrate, Tashi Chopel, "A lot of buildings and vehicles have been damaged by sludge. There are also reports of loss of lives, with around 20 people missing. We are also hearing about 23 casualties in the army, which needs to be confirmed with them. 3000-4000 people were evacuated last night in and around Rangpo. We have opened 5 relief camps in the district." The heavy <keyword id="154337" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="downpour" source="Orion">downpour</keyword> that triggered the lake outburst reportedly damaged over 150 houses in the Industrial Belt (IBM) at Rangpo, on the banks of river Teesta. Following the devastation, an unidentified body was also discovered on Wednesday afternoon in the IBM area. In most of the houses, the lower two floors have been submerged in sediments and made redundant, said the official. Speaking to the media, Pakyong District Magistrate Tashi Chopel informed, "There have been some loss of lives while over 150 houses have been damaged in the IBM area in Rangpo. If we take the stretch between Singtam and Rangpo along NH 10 which falls under Pakyong district, around 150-200 houses could have been damaged by the <keyword id="6568121" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="flash-flood" source="Orion">flash flood</keyword>". The District Magistrate further informed that while industries ranging from pharmaceutical to manufacturing units along the banks of the River Teesta have been affected, no reports of damages have been received by the Pakyong District Magistrate. Educational institutions Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology in Majhitar and Advanced Technical Training Centre in Bardang between Singtam and Rangpo also reported of flash flood entering the premises, with the first floors being inundated, informed Pakyong District Authorities. The students in SMIT were reported to be safe, while students from ATTC have been given permission to go to their homes. There are still some people stuck in the houses in IBM who are now being evacuated by fire services and NDRF. Rangpo has five relief camps which include the Chanatar government school, the hall of Sikkim distilleries, the Tourism Information Centre hall, the housing complex at Majhigaon, and the Mining Government school hall. Councillors from Rangpo Nagar Panchayat along with civil defence have been overseeing the relief camps. Around 300-400 people have reached relief camps so far, by evening all the people from damaged houses will be taken to relief camps, informed Pakyong District Authorities. The South Lhonak Lake, situated in North West Sikkim experienced a glacial lake outburst and triggered flash floods due to incessant rainfall in the region on Wednesday morning. Areas near River Teesta have been put on high alert, said an official. According to the Legislator of Tumin-Lingee Assembly constituency, Sikkim, Ugyen Tshering Gyatso Bhutia, "The South Lhonak lake situated in North West Sikkim experienced an outburst in the early hours of Wednesday morning due to incessant monsoon rainfall. Areas near River Teesta were put on high alert." Giving information about the outburst, the Gangtok District Administration said, "The flash flood made its way through River Teesta sweeping Indreni Bridge in Singtam town, some 30 kilometres from Gangtok. A connecting bridge of the Balutar hamlet was also swept away around 4 am." In the wake of the devastation caused by a cloud burst in Sikkim, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Dilli Ram Thapa on Wednesday urged the people of the state to stand together in difficult times and help each other to overcome the destruction. "Several properties have been damaged. We cannot even estimate right now how much devastation has taken place. I request all institutions to support Sikkim," said Thapa adding, "I took stock of the situation in the morning and will do it again. Rescue operations are underway," he assured. "Today a big situation has arisen in front of the people of Sikkim. I request everyone, all the people of Sikkim to stand together in these times and help each other out of this destruction," added the Sikkim BJP chief. On Wednesday, South Lhonak Lake, situated in North West Sikkim witnessed a glacial lake outburst that triggered flash floods accompanied by incessant rainfall in the region. Officials on Wednesday sounded alert for areas near River Teesta. The flowing flash flood made its way through River Teesta sweeping Indreni Bridge in Singtam town, some 30 kilometres from Gangtok informed Gangtok District Administration. Another connecting bridge of Balutar hamlet was also swept away around 4 am. As per information from Mangan District Administration, Chungthang town, some 90 kilometres north of Gangtok, houses the Teesta Stage 3 Dam. Upon high alert, the local residents have been evacuated from the area. "Similarly, the Teesta Stage 5 dam at Dikchu in Mangan district was opened up for water disbursement after a high alert. It is reported that the control room of the dam has been severely damaged," they informed. Many homes near the River Teesta, situated in Gangtok's Singtam have been evacuated. Additionally, temporary relief facilities have been established in the town's Singtam Senior Secondary School, added officials.

Sikkim flash flood: Almost 50 reported missing including army personnel; rescue ops underway

<ul><li>Bad weather and low visibility were bottlenecks that led to the decision.</li><li>A notice to this effect has been put up at the reception and the ticket counter of the airport.</li><li>The airline, which started operations from the table-top airport in 2018, currently operates daily direct flights to Delhi and Kolkata.</li></ul> <keyword id="6358032" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="SPICEJET" source="Orion">SpiceJet</keyword>, the only carrier that runs daily flights to and from the greenfield airport in <keyword id="48118" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="SIKKIM" source="Orion">Sikkim</keyword>'s Pakyong, will suspend services in the hill state from October 30 due to "operational constraints". According to a spokesperson of the budget airline, bad weather and low visibility were bottlenecks that led to the decision. "SpiceJet flights to and from Pakyong airport have been temporarily suspended with effect from October 30, 2022, due to operational constraints owing to the bad weather condition and low visibility at Pakyong. "Pakyong is a VFR (Visual Flight Rules) airport and does not have instrument landing facilities... To avoid inconvenience to our passengers, flight operations have been temporarily suspended. We will share an update once the services resume," the spokesperson said. A notice to this effect has been put up at the reception and the ticket counter of the airport. An airport official said on the condition of anonymity that SpiceJet has suffered significant losses during the monsoon season when the carrier had to cancel flights due to bad weather. The airline, which started operations from the table-top airport in 2018, currently operates daily direct flights to Delhi and Kolkata. Officials said the move will inconvenience locals, who avail flight services as and when available, besides adversely affecting the tourism industry in the land-locked state. "We are hoping that services will resume early next year as the weather is usually favourable around that time of the year," a tourism department official said. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/diwali-celebrations-begin-at-times-square-vp-kamala-harris-and-former-prez-donald-trump-to-attend/articleshow/95001470.cms">Diwali celebrations begin at Times Square: VP Kamala Harris and former Prez Donald Trump to attend</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/personal-finance/news/should-you-buy-gold-this-dhanteras/articleshow/94997439.cms">Should you buy gold this Dhanteras?</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/tata-consumer-products-profit-grows-36-to-355-crore-in-q2-fy23/articleshow/94992535.cms">Tata Consumer Products profit grows 36% to ₹355 crore in Q2 FY23</a>

SpiceJet to suspend Sikkim operations from Oct 30 due to operational constraints

The country is likely to add nearly 80 airports in the next four to five years, the aviation regulator has said, adding that aerodromes meanwhile need to fulfil certain requirements to start the operation of flights. In the last eight years, the number of airports in the country has increased from 74 to 141, and as per the Ministry of <keyword id="6368649" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="civil-aviation" source="Orion">Civil Aviation</keyword>, this will grow up to 220 in the next four to five years. The Civil Aviation Ministry has given 'in-principle' approval for setting up of 21 greenfield airports across the country, including Mopa in Goa; Navi Mumbai, Shirdi and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra; Kalaburagi, Vijayapura, Hassan and Shivamogga in Karnataka; Dabra in Madhya Pradesh; Kushinagar and Noida (Jewar) in Uttar Pradesh; Dholera and Hirasar (Rajkot) in Gujarat; Karaikal in Puducherry; Dagadarthi (Nellore), Bhogapuram and Orvakal (Kurnool) in Andhra Pradesh; Durgapur in West Bengal; Pakyong in Sikkim; Kannur in Kerala; and Hollongi (Itanagar) in Arunachal Pradesh. So far, eight greenfield airports -- namely Durgapur, Shirdi, Sindhudurg, Pakyong, Kannur, Kalaburagi, Orvakal and Kushinagar -- have been operationalised. As per the Aviation Ministry, in the financial year 2022-23, the Centre has granted site clearance to the Himachal Pradesh government for development of a new greenfield airport at Nagchala, Mandi. Besides, 35 airports, helipads and water aerodromes are targeted for development during FY 2022-23 under RCS-UDAN. An official said that for safety purposes, an aerodrome needs to meet the specifications regarding its management systems, operational procedures, physical characteristics, assessment and treatment of obstacles, visual aids, rescue and fire-fighting services, as per the <keyword id="6354787" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="dgca" source="Orion">DGCA</keyword> CAR (Civil Aviation Requirement). While these guidelines are for the licensing of the aerodrome from the technical point of view, the licence for operation of airports is granted by the Central government as per the Civil Aviation policy. As far as site clearance for a greenfield airport for public use is concerned, prior to commencing the construction, the owner or developer of the greenfield aerodrome will have to file applications to the steering committee at the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The request for site approval and issuance of in-principle approval in respect of these aerodromes will be dealt by the concerned department in the Ministry as per the greenfield airport policy. Licence for the aerodromes is given in two categories, including for private use and for public use and usage of private use aerodromes excludes the operation of scheduled flights. For the public use category, the Ministry of Civil Aviation will grant site clearance and 'in-principle' approval for all proposals as per the greenfield airport policy. On the other hand, for the private use category, site clearance as well as 'in-principle' approval will be granted by the regulator as per technical assessment of the site and based on usage of the airport. The 'in-principle' approval granted by DGCA indicates that the proposed airport is essentially meant for non-commercial operations by the licensee and by individuals specifically authorised by the licensee only, said the DGCA, as per the new guidelines. Explaining the procedure for converting the usage of airports, the guidelines said that the government approvals as per the prevailing policy will be required for this. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/suzlon-energys-founder-chairman-tulsi-tanti-passes-away-due-to-cardiac-arrest/articleshow/94596261.cms">Suzlon Energy’s founder chairman Tulsi Tanti passes away due to cardiac arrest</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/airtel-5g-services-launched-in-eight-cities-the-entire-country-to-be-covered-by-2024/articleshow/94579199.cms">Airtel 5G services launched in eight cities, the entire country to be covered by 2024</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/economy/news/the-fed-has-the-world-in-its-hands-and-its-aggressive-moves-are-creating-global-economic-chaos-that-could-come-back-and-hurt-the-us/articleshow/94587248.cms">The Fed has the world in its hands — and its aggressive moves are creating global economic chaos that could come back and hurt the US</a>

India to add 80 airports in next 4-5 years; new rules for aerodromes

Low-cost carrier <keyword id="6358032" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="spicejet" source="Orion">SpiceJet</keyword> has entered into a full and final settlement with the <keyword id="54875" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="airports-authority-of-india" source="Orion">Airports Authority of India</keyword> (<keyword id="47439" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="aai" source="Orion">AAI</keyword>) and cleared all outstanding principal dues of the airport operator. With this, SpiceJet will no longer remain on "cash and carry" at AAI-run airports across the country and revert to advance payment mechanism for daily flight operations. According to the airline's spokesperson, SpiceJet's ability to clear the pending dues reflects the airline's improved cash flow in recent times. "In another big boost for the airline, AAI will release SpiceJet's Rs 50 crore bank guarantee following the airline clearing all its principal dues. This will result in additional liquidity for the airline," said the airline. SpiceJet has flown with the highest passenger load factor in the Indian skies for a record seven years. Starting April 2015, the airlines has recorded the highest occupancy among all Indian domestic airlines - a feat unparalleled in global aviation. The airline also holds the envious distinction of having flown with a Passenger Load Factor (PLF) of more than 90 per cent for a record 58 consecutive months. The airline's domestic network covers the length and breadth of the country with it operating to 51 domestic destinations. Pioneer of the regional connectivity scheme, SpiceJet is the country's largest regional player helping connect the remotest parts of the country by air. The airline's focus on providing direct flight connectivity to regional hubs not only ensures better connectivity, it also has a cascading effect on tourism and economic activity in the region. SpiceJet has added multiple <keyword id="6366656" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="udan" source="Orion">UDAN</keyword> destinations to the country's aviation map including Pakyong, Jharsuguda, Kandla, Darbhanga, Kanpur, Ajmer (Kishangarh), among others. SEE ALSO : <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/top-10-cars-sold-in-india-in-july-2022-maruti-suzuki-tata-and-hyundai-brand-in-only-top-10/slidelist/93289907.cms">Top cars sold in India in July 2022</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/careers/news/air-india-to-extend-the-flying-age-of-its-pilots-to-65/articleshow/93288865.cms">Air India to extend the flying age of its pilots to 65</a>

Spicejet clears all outstanding principal dues of AAI

Low cost carrier <keyword id="6358032" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="spicejet" source="Orion">SpiceJet</keyword> is said to be in active discussion with a <keyword id="859863" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="middle-eastern" source="Orion">Middle Eastern</keyword> carrier for a possible stake sale. SpiceJet promoter <keyword id="6357826" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="ajay-singh" source="Orion">Ajay Singh</keyword> holds a stake of around 60 per cent in the budget carrier. Sources said a big Middle Eastern airline has expressed interest to pick a 24 per cent stake and a board seat in SpiceJet. A big Indian business conglomerate has also approached Singh for a stake in the airline. Reacting to the development, a <keyword id="1002649" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="spicejet-spokesperson" source="Orion">SpiceJet Spokesperson</keyword> said, "The company continues to be in discussions with various investors to secure sustainable financing and will make appropriate disclosures in accordance with applicable regulations." Earlier, on Tuesday, SpiceJet said that it entered into a full and final settlement with the <keyword id="54875" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="airports-authority-of-india" source="Orion">Airports Authority of India</keyword> (<keyword id="47439" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="aai" source="Orion">AAI</keyword>) and has cleared all outstanding principal dues of the airport operator. With this, SpiceJet will no longer remain on 'cash and carry' at AAI run airports across the country and will revert to advance payment mechanism for daily flight operations. SpiceJet's ability to clear the pending dues reflects the airline's improved cash flow in recent times. SpiceJet's domestic network covers the length and breadth of the country with the airline operating to 51 domestic destinations. <keyword id="16140" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="pioneer" source="Orion">Pioneer</keyword> of the regional connectivity scheme, SpiceJet is the country's largest regional player helping connect the remotest parts of the country by air. The airline's focus on providing direct flight connectivity to regional hubs not only ensures better connectivity, it also has a cascading effect on tourism and economic activity in the region. SpiceJet has added multiple <keyword id="6366656" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="udan" source="Orion">UDAN</keyword> destinations to the country's aviation map including Pakyong, Jharsuguda, Kandla, Darbhanga, Kanpur, Ajmer (<keyword id="194159" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="kishangarh" source="Orion">Kishangarh</keyword>), among others. SEE ALSO : <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/sun-pharma-chairperson-israel-makov-to-retire-on-august-29/articleshow/93314360.cms">Sun Pharma Chairperson Israel Makov to retire on August 29</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/surgeons-use-virtual-reality-to-separate-twins-with-conjoined-heads-in-a-27-hour-long-surgery/articleshow/93314424.cms">Surgeons use virtual reality to separate twins with conjoined heads in a 27-hour-long surgery</a>

SpiceJet in active discussion with Middle Eastern carrier for a possible stake sale

<ul><li>The <keyword id="9718315" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="air-india-express-plane-crash">Air India Express plane crash</keyword> which left 18 dead and over a 100 injured, happened when the plane was landing but overshot the <keyword id="7788102" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tabletop-runway">tabletop runway</keyword> at Kozhikode. </li><li>There are five tabletop runways in India – Mangalore in Karnataka, Kozhikode in Kerala and Lengpui in Mizoram, Shimla and Kullu in Himachal Pradesh and Pakyong in Sikkim.</li><li> In 2010, a Boeing 737 aircraft of Air India Express in Mangalore had overshot the runway, fell into the valley and exploded.</li></ul>The Air India Express plane crash which left 18 dead and over a 100 injured, happened when the plane was landing but overshot the tabletop runway at Kozhikode. The severe impact of the crash where the plane fell 35 feet into the valley, broke the plane into two pieces. <keyword id="9720709" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="what-is-a-tabletop-runway">What is a tabletop runway</keyword>? A tabletop runway is an airport which is located on the top of a plateau and the end of the runway overlooks a deep gorge. There are a total of five tabletop runways in India – Mangalore in Karnataka, Kozhikode in Kerala and Lengpui in Mizoram, Shimla and Kullu in Himachal Pradesh and Pakyong in Sikkim. Landings at these airports require extra skill because of the lack of space. According to <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/kozhikode-plane-crash-air-india-express-flight-tabletop-runway-a-challenge-no-fire-was-saving-grace-6545127/">reports</a>, tabletop runways have no room for errors during landing. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/thelife/news/an-air-india-plane-crashed-while-landing-at-a-notoriously-tricky-airport-heres-why-tabletop-runways-can-be-so-treacherous/articleshow/77424368.cms">Experts say</a> that landings at tabletop runways are also tricky because they create an optical illusion for the pilots. Experts told IANS that the Himachal Pradesh airport in Jubbarhatti - located 2,196 metres above the sea level - is one of country's 'riskiest' table-top airport. <div type="image" title="shimla airport" msid="77428345" hostid="261"></div> The Mangalore crash of 2010 And the tragic incident in Kerala is not the only one to have happened at a table-top runway airport. In 2010, a Boeing 737 aircraft of Air India Express in Mangalore had overshot the runway, fell into the valley and exploded. In the crash, 158 people were killed. However, the Kerala incident didn’t have resemblance to the Mangalore crash. "In Mangalore, pilots had landed the aircraft in the middle of the runway. Then they quickly tried to take-off again, thereby using thrust and power," a senior commander told IANS from Mumbai. In the Kerala incident, along with the tricky runway, the heavy rains were an added disadvantage to the pilot. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/images-of-the-air-india-express-plane-crash-in-kerala/slidelist/77426706.cms">Devastating images show how Air India express plane crash in Kerala split the flight in two and left 18 dead and over a 100 injured</a>

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Every state in India now has a functional airport

Prabhjote Gill

India’s e-commerce boom: Gen Z, small cities, and self-care trends on the rise, says Meesho

Ayush Mehrotra

Sikkim flash flood: Toll rises to 14, 102 people missing

PTI

Sikkim flash flood: Almost 50 reported missing including army personnel; rescue ops underway

ANI

SpiceJet to suspend Sikkim operations from Oct 30 due to operational constraints

PTI

India to add 80 airports in next 4-5 years; new rules for aerodromes

IANS

Spicejet clears all outstanding principal dues of AAI

IANS

SpiceJet in active discussion with Middle Eastern carrier for a possible stake sale

IANS

These are the tabletop airports in India – two of them have seen major plane crashes in last 10 years

Sanchita Dash