- Union Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu showcased government’s commitment to turn the Northeast into a logistics and aviation hub linking India with Southeast Asia.
- Number of operational airports in the region have risen to 16 today from from 9 in 2014. Passenger traffic has tripled while international services from Guwahati has been growing fivefold in a year.
- Arunachal, Mizoram, Sikkim and Assam pressed for Greenfield airports, cargo hubs, ALGs, helicopter services, and stronger security, framing aviation as the region’s development lifeline.
The skies above India’s Northeast are set to get busier. At the North East Region Ministers’ Conference on Civil Aviation and the 3rd North East Aviation Summit, held on September 4, 2025, in Itanagar, the Central government unveiled an ambitious roadmap to make the region not only a connectivity lifeline but also a logistics and aviation hub linking India with Southeast Asia.
The event, organised by the Ministry of Civil Aviation in partnership with FICCI, brought together Union and state leaders, civil aviation officials, and industry stakeholders. The underlying message was clear: aviation will be the backbone of the Northeast’s economic transformation.
Civil aviation is no longer a luxury but a critical enabler of Viksit Bharat @2047, urged Union Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu and pointed out that the “growth of civil aviation infrastructure and enhanced connectivity are giving wings to the aspirations of North East India.”
He set the tone with a vision statement: “The Centre’s vision is to make the Northeast a logistics and aviation hub connecting India with Southeast Asia. By 2047, India will operate more than 350 airports—and the Northeast will be central to this growth.”
Naidu noted the rapid expansion of air infrastructure in the region: the number of operational airports has grown from 9 in 2014 to 16 today, while passenger traffic has tripled. Aircraft movements, he said, have nearly doubled in the past decade, from 51,000 in 2014 to 96,000 in 2024.
The Minister also revealed that international traffic from Guwahati had grown fivefold in the past year, largely due to new routes to Thailand.
The government now wants to push Guwahati as the gateway to Southeast Asia, with enhanced connectivity and cargo handling facilities. “Connectivity is not just about moving people, it’s about moving opportunities,” Naidu added, underlining the government’s decision to extend the UDAN scheme by another 10 years in a revamped form. Since 2016, UDAN has created more than 700 routes, including many in the Northeast’s rugged terrain.
It may be mentioned that Naidu and Khandu inaugurated the new terminal building at Donyi Polo Airport, boosting its annual handling capacity to 1 million passengers. An UDAN Yatri Café, creche, and artisan shop were also launched, blending convenience with cultural showcase.
The Northeast’s leaders echoed the Centre’s enthusiasm, framing aviation as the region’s engine of growth. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu called aviation “the lifeline of development” for the frontier state.
He went on to state: “The past decade has turned long-cherished dreams into reality. From a state that once had no functional airport, we now have multiple terminals, including the Donyi Polo Airport at Itanagar, which has become a symbol of progress.”
From Mizoram, Chief Minister Lalduhoma highlighted the urgent need for new Greenfield airports at Lunglei and Champhai, as well as a cargo hub and cold storage at Lengpui Airport to support farmers. “Our horticulture products are of the highest quality, but lack of export infrastructure limits our farmers. Aviation is the bridge that can connect Mizoram to the world.”
Arunachal Pradesh’s Civil Aviation Minister Balo Raja pressed for greater investment in Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) and STOL (short take-off and landing) aircraft for remote areas. He also made a case for helicopter emergency medical services and the deployment of CISF security at key airports. Airport security is highly specialised. Our state police are not trained for this. We need CISF personnel to be deployed urgently at Itanagar and Tezu.
Sikkim’s Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Tshering Bhutia urged faster operationalisation of Pakyong Airport, while Assam Minister Jogen Mohan stressed the state’s role as a regional aviation hub supporting both tourism and logistics
The conference announced a slew of initiatives:
- Four free pre-feasibility studies for greenfield airports annually for Northeastern states.
- Major projects in the pipeline, including a new terminal at Imphal Airport by 2025, development of Tura Airport in Meghalaya, runway extension at Shillong, and proposals for Kailashahar (Tripura), Silchar (greenfield), and Jorhat (civil enclave).
- Expanded UDAN routes, helicopter services, and skilling programmes for aviation jobs.
Industry participation was robust, with airlines, MRO providers, drone operators, and cargo firms exploring opportunities. Officials from Airports Authority of India (AAI) and DGCA fielded state-specific proposals, while FICCI facilitated industry–state dialogues.
For the Centre, the Northeast is no longer a peripheral region but a strategic aviation frontier. With Guwahati positioned as an international hub, tourism circuits expanding, and cargo operations kicking off from new airports like Itanagar, the region is poised for an unprecedented aviation-led growth spurt.
As Naidu summed it up: “You have not seen India until you have seen the Northeast. With its beauty, culture, and opportunities, this region will not only connect India to itself but also connect India to the world.”
The conference ended with a look ahead to Wings India 2026, to be held in Hyderabad next January, where the Northeast’s aviation success story is expected to take centre stage.
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