GUWAHATI: As a follow-up to the recently-held Advantage Assam: Global Investors’ Summit: India’s Expressway to ASEAN, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal held a meeting with Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (COO) Air Asia, Amar Abrol and discussed the detailed modalities of starting direct flights between Guwahati with ASEAN countries.
The meeting which was held at Chief Minister’s office here on Monday evening discussed Air Asia’s plan of making Guwahati as its principal hub for the company’s South East Asia operations. The COO submitted a proposal to Chief Minister Sonowal of Air Asia’s expansion plan in Guwahati and to connect the city with frequent direct flights with Chennai, Hyderabad, Vizag, Bagdogra etc., besides ASEAN countries.
Sonowal said that the state government was working very seriously to make Guwahati the nerve of Centre’s Act East Policy and therefore wanted to start direct flights with ASEAN and BBN countries. He also informed Air Asia COO that his government in association with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Government of India was in constant touch with ASEAN countries to persuade them to set up their consulate offices in Guwahati. He also said that the construction works of new terminal building of Loka Priya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport is going on in full swing and very shortly the airport will be transformed into an integrated airport with state-of-the-art facilities for the passengers. Sonowal assured to provide all government help to Air Asia and requested the company to materialise international flight services before the festive occasion of Rongali Bihu this year.
