SHILLONG, Aug 17 — The Federation of Shillong Hotels has urged the Meghalaya government to fast-track the expansion of Shillong (Umroi) Airport and to restore regional flight services that formerly linked the city with North Eastern capitals. Federation President Parambir Singh said flights to Silchar, Agartala, Dimapur, Dibrugarh and Guwahati were abruptly halted and should be reinstated even as the longer-term runway expansion proceeds.
Singh emphasized that direct air connectivity would give a major boost to tourism in Meghalaya, reducing travel friction and making the state more accessible to visitors across the region. “Once the airport is fully functional and tourists land directly in Meghalaya, the reliance on outside taxis will decrease. This will be a win‑win situation for local taxi operators and provide hassle‑free travel for visitors,” he said.
The Federation highlighted visitor patterns to underline the point: about 40% of tourists to the region go on to explore the wider Northeast, while roughly 50–60% come specifically to visit Meghalaya, Singh said, arguing that restored regional flights would capture both groups more effectively and lengthen tourist stays.
All necessary clearances for the long‑awaited runway expansion have reportedly been approved and construction is underway. The work is expected to take approximately 15 months, after which Umroi Airport should be able to handle larger aircraft, potentially reopening direct regional routes and strengthening tourism and local transport livelihoods in the state.
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2026/08/18/hoteliers-urge-govt-to-restore-regional-flights-at-shillong-airport/
Category: MEGHALAYA
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Publish Date: 2026-08-18 05:38:00
