As a result of bilateral talks with Bhutan, Druk Airlines will start flight operations between Guwahati and Paro via Singapore from September 1, said Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal addressing a function on the distribution of Lokanayak Omeo Kumar Das Memorial Meritorious Award to students. ‘The Centre’s Act East policy aims at making Assam the gateway to ASEAN countries. In such a scenario, students of the State can gather rich dividends by empowering themselves through available opportunities given by the State government,’ he further stated.
On August 2, Bhutan Consul General Phub Tshering met Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi and discussed about flight operations, apart from trade, commerce and tourism. Mukhi requested increasing the frequency of flights from Guwahati to Paro, connecting Singapore. On August 5, Mukhi informed that he had discussions with the Bangladesh President as well during his visit, and discussed about plans to start a flight from Dhaka to Guwahati.
Under the Udaan scheme, 92 new flights have been sanctioned for the Northeast, out of which around 10 have already started operations and all Northeastern capitals will be directly connected with Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati. Druk Airlines already operates flights twice a week, between Paro and Guwahati.