Arunachal 1st greenfield airport Donyi Polo witnesses growth

GUWAHATI: Less than three months after its inauguration, the Donyi Polo Airport, Arunachal Pradesh’s first greenfield airport, and the first such facility in the state capital Itanagar, has witnessed a steady increase in passenger numbers. Many new routes have been activated.
The average daily footfall at Donyi Polo Airport, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 19 November 2022, is 280 passengers (as of January 2023 data) six days a week except Wednesday Flights operate.
First commercial flight at Donyi Polo Airport, Indigo Airlines with A-320 type aircraft started its services on Itanagar-Kolkata sector from 28 November 2022, marking a historic moment in the history of civil aviation in Arunachal Pradesh.
The Itanagar-Kolkata-Mumbai flight was inaugurated by Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia through video link, along with Chief Minister Peema Khandu, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and other state government dignitaries.

Similarly, other regional airlines also started flights from Itanagar’s Donyi Polo, including the much-awaited air connectivity between Itanagar-Guwahati by Flybig Airlines from 15 January 2023 under the regional connectivity scheme- was started under UDAN, which we also call Govt. India’s flagship programme, to promote regional air connectivity by making flying affordable for the common man.
Under the UDAN scheme, the fare for a one-hour journey of 500 km on a fixed-wing aircraft or a 30-minute journey on a helicopter is Rs 2,500, applicable to 50 per cent of the flight capacity (RCS seats).
Notably, with the launch of the Itanagar-Guwahati flight, Flybig added Itanagar as the 10th on its network and the third in Arunachal Pradesh, along with Pasighat and Tezu.
Donyi Polo Airport has also strengthened connectivity within Arunachal Pradesh which has four operational airports – Itanagar, Pasighat, Ziro and Tezu.
Alliance Air started intra-state connectivity from 29 November with its Dornier 228-type aircraft from Donyi Polo Airport, its base at Dibrugarh. It operates Itanagar-Ziro flights every Tuesday and Saturday. Similarly, Itanagar-Pasighat flights operate on every Thursday and Sunday.

The existing interim passenger terminal building of Donyi Polo Airport is spread over an area of ​​2000 square meters with a canopy of 1500 square meters, which is fully air-conditioned. The terminal has a childcare room and is equipped with necessary arrangements for differently abled passengers.
“The terminal building is energy efficient as per GRIHA-IV providing balanced use of glazing and wall panelling. Insulated roof, glazing and wall panels; LED lights in all areas and energy efficient motor/drives. “The sewage treatment plant installed at the airport will allow the use of treated water for horticulture and will not pollute soil or water bodies,” sources said.
Apart from this, a 125 KWp solar plant is also being installed for the use of renewable energy and it will be completed by the end of March this year.
Located in the southwestern part of Arunachal Pradesh, Donyi Polo Airport serves a population of more than 2 million in several adjoining districts such as Kurung Kumey, Kardadi, Lower Subansiri, East Kameng, Pakke Kessang and Kamle and Biswanath in Arunachal Pradesh and Lakhimpur. neighboring districts of Assam.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu welcomed the move to provide air connectivity from Itanagar to the rest of the country, saying, “We are fulfilling the dream of the people of Arunachal Pradesh to have air connectivity after 75 years of India’s independence. Thank you PM for doing this.. We also thank Flybig for providing third and most important connectivity in Arunachal Pradesh.