Air Connectivity Effort in India Yields 100th Airport
by Neelam Mathews - October 4, 2018, 10:57 AM A SpiceJet Bombardier Q400 gets a water cannon welcome at India's new Pakyong Airport, near the Chinese border. India’s focus on enhancing air connectivity to hilly, remote, and underserved airports under its Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) appeared to sharpen Thursday as budget carrier SpiceJet launched the first flight to the new greenfield Pakyong Airport in the northeastern state of Sikkim. Pakyong is India’s 100th airport and SpiceJet's ninth destination under the RCS. SpiceJet operates India’s largest regional fleet, now flying more than 20 Bombardier Q400s and holding an order for 25 more. “SpiceJet has always been a firm believer in the growth story of India’s smaller towns and cities,” said SpiceJet chairman Ajay Singh. “We have worked hard over the years to put these on the country’s aviation map.” The Pakyong airport lies about 35 miles from India’s border with China. ...