By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 6: The Meghalaya government is going to develop the Baljek Airport to accommodate the operation of ATR-72 flights and also bigger aircraft in the long run.
An official on Monday said as part of the MoU signed with the Airports Authority of India, the expansion works will be carried out so that the airport can accommodate ATR-72 flights. There are plans to start operations with 20-seater aircraft as an immediate measure.
“At the same, we will also undertake a study to explore if bigger aircraft like A320s can land there,” the official said.
Meanwhile, sources from AAI informed that a fresh tender for expansion of the runway of the Shillong Airport is being worked out and it will be issued soon. The previous tender was cancelled owing to technical reasons.
On Sunday, Tura MP Saleng Sangma had slammed the state government’s move to develop the Baljek Airport for only 20-seater aircraft, questioning whether the government is planning to turn it into a private airport.
