GUWAHATI, April 4 ? Finally the long wait for the people of north eastern region was over. Guwahati was today put on the international aviation map with the maiden Air India flight taking off to Thailand capital Bangkok with capacity 200 passengers on board. A few minutes past 3 o?clock this afternoon, the 200-seater Airbus 310 took off from the tarmac of Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport with the blessings of nonagenarian Surabala Bardoloi, wife of the Lokapriya.
An enthusiastic Union Civil Aviation Minister, Syed Shahnawaz Hussain informed that it was for the first time in the country that an inaugural international flight was full to its capacity. The flight will operate in Mumbai-Kolkata-Guwahati-Bangkok route. It will take about two-and-a-half-hour to reach Bangkok from Guwahati. In the lighter vein, the youngest ever Civil Aviation Minister in the country said, Guwahati happened to be a ?lucky destination? for Air India which has made about Rs 20 crore profit this year after a long gap of seven years despite the global recession in the industry after September 11 terrorist strikes in American capital. Out of the 200 passengers travelling to the South East Asian tourist paradise in the inaugural flight No. A-1 352, fifty were guests of Air India including MPs from north eastern States, and a few journalists from local media here. The rest 150 passengers included many legislators from Assam and other N-E States, top businessmen of the region, and enthusiastic tourists from the region.
On the occasion of inauguration of Air India?s international operation from Guwahati, the gateway to the North East, a solemn function was held in the airport which was graced by Union Civil Aviation Minister, Syed Shahnawaz Hussain, Governor of Assam, Lt Gen (retd) SK Sinha, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Mukut Mithi, Union Minister of State for Water Resources Bijoya Chakraborty, Air India Managing Director, JN Gogoi and Joint Secretary of Civil Aviation Ministry, S Kaul. A large number of politicos of the region including APCC president Paban Singh Ghatowar, former Lok Sabha Speaker PA Sangma, and many other dignitaries attended the function held on the historic moment to witness the launch of Guwahati as the International Gateway for North East.
The Civil Aviation Minister stated in the function that in view of beginning of international flight operation from Guwahati, it has become necessary for connecting all State capital of north eastern region with Guwahati airport. He announced that Indian Airlines will base four 50-seater Airbuses in Guwahati airport to operate within the region connecting all State capitals and important cities to Guwahati. The four aircraft are being funded by the North Eastern Council (NEC). Sri Hussain hoped that with the beginning of international flight operation, tourism in the enchanting N-E region would bet a shot in the arm and Guwahati airport would ultimately become one of the best airports in the country having connection to many international destination.
The Airport Authority of India (AAI) has spent about Rs 3 crore in improving facilities in the Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi Airport in view of international flight operation. Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi said ?as communication is key to economic development, the international flight operation from Guwahati will prove a boon for the potent tourism sector in the region.? He called for starting more international flights from Guwahati to different destinations. He also announced that Taj Group of Hotels had agreed to set up a hotel in Guwahati which has been put on international tourist circuit from today.
The Governor of Assam and the Chairman of the NEC, Lt Gen (retd) SK Sinha announced that NEC would play a role of catalyst in increasing air connectivity within the region and to convert Guwahati into a hub of air traffic in the region. Union Minister for Water Resources, Bijoya Chakraborty termed it as a moment of ?pride, joy and happiness for the people of the region as a long cherish dream for them was translated to reality today.? Noted litterateur an lyricist of the State Dr Nirmol Prabha Bordoloi speaking in the function said the timing of international flight operation was appropriate as the air was filled with Rongali Bihu festivity.