Daily flights between Kolkata and Sikkim's Pakyong set to resume on September 15

Sikkim's picturesque greenfield airport in Pakyong is making a promising return to the aviation scene, as it recently reinitiated flight services to Delhi after a prolonged hiatus. Rajendra Grover, the director of Pakyong airport, revealed that flight operations had recommenced on March 14 but had to be suspended in June due to adverse weather conditions, leading to a diversion of the Delhi-Pakyong route to Bagdogra.

Grover confirmed, "The Delhi-Pakyong flight services are operational from Saturday. We will also operate Kolkata-Pakyong flight services from September 15. The Delhi-Pakyong flights will operate five days a week, except on Monday and Friday, while the Kolkata-Pakyong flights will be available daily."

Notably, the sole airline serving Pakyong airport, SpiceJet, has resurfaced after a hiatus of two and a half months, marked by operational challenges that led to the temporary suspension of services from June 15.

On the inaugural day of renewed operations, the airport welcomed 52 arriving passengers from Delhi and saw six departures. The following day, 44 passengers arrived, and 31 departed. Flight schedules have been relatively consistent, with flights departing from Delhi at 12:40 and returning at 13:10, as per airport officials.

Airlines have reported solid bookings for flights from Delhi to Pakyong, with reservations extending through September. However, demand for return flights appears to vary.