Amid Global Pandemic, Dispur's Proposal of International Flights from Guwahati Airport Raises Many Questions

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Dispur's fresh move to receive tenders to operate flights between Guwahati and six international destinations has raised eyebrows with many questioning the rationale behind it in the time of the global pandemic.

"The Guwahati-Dhaka flight service was suspended by SpiceJet in September, 2019. The Nok Air — the Thailand-based low-cost airline — suspended its operations from Guwahati to Bangkok from January 20, 2020. Very low passengers' load had forced the flight operators to suspend their operations. Majority of the leading international flights operators are very much apprehensive about the viability of their operations on the routes between Guwahati and other international destinations. The current pandemic has already given a big blow to the Aviation industry. It is really surprising as to what has led the Assam Government to seek fresh tenders for commencing international flights," said a frequent flyer closely associated with the Tourism sector.

State Industry & Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary recently said that tenders for connecting six international destinations from Guwahati have been received. He added that very soon the necessary formalities will be done. Under the international 'Udan' ((UdeDeshkaAamNaagrik) scheme, the State Government is planning to operate flights between Guwahati and the following destinations — Singapore, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, Malaysia as well as Vietnam.

Patowary also said the State Government is committed for the viability gap funding of Rs 100 crore for three years for operation of the flight.

A Guwahati-based entrepreneur said that even on earlier occasions the Guwahati-Bangkok and Guwahati-Dhaka flights could not operate successfully. "Unless there is more trade between Guwahati and Dhaka or Bangkok, the tall claim of Dispur and Delhi to connect Assam and NE with South Asia is simply a bombastic talk. I am really surprised as to why Assam has not been able to start trade with Bangladesh despite having the office of Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh in Guwahati," he said.

Another international flier said that before receiving tenders, the State Government should first make efforts to take all the tour operators into confidence. It should also convince the flyers from the Northeast that it is easier and cheaper to fly from Guwahati to Bangkok than from Kolkata.

"Despite creating an exclusive 'Act East Policy' department, the Assam Government did not put a single hoarding about the Guwahati-Bangkok flights at the two international airports at Bangkok — namely Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang nor at the LokapriyaGopinathBordoloi International Airport (LGBI) Airport at Borjhar.

"Under such circumstances, how can you expect the passengers to be aware of the Guwahati-Bangkok flights? All these factors finally resulted in suspension of the flight in 2020. So, I want to request Dispur to first do their groundwork before talking big of operating international flights from Guwahati," added a real-estate builder.

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