Gangtok, October 5: The first commercial flight under the 'Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik' (UDAN) landed at the Pakyong Airport in Sikkim from Kolkata. The flight received a water cannon salute by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) team there. Built at 4500 feet height, the Pakyong Airport provides easy access to the stunning mountain peaks, glaciers, lakes and more of the North East. The Pakyong Airport is about 15 km from Sikkim capital Gangtok and only 80 km from the India-China border. UDAN Scheme, PM Narendra Modi's Dream Plan to Make Million More Indians Fly, Hits Turbulence. 

On September 24, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Pakyong Airport in East Sikkim district. The airport connects Gangtok to India’s aviation network. It must be noted that the Pakyong Airport is the first airport in Sikkim and 100th operational one in India. The Pakyong Airport has come up as part of the UDAN scheme of the government. Government Unveils Draft UDAN Scheme for International Routes.

The UDAN is a Regional Connectivity Scheme launched by the Government of India in October 2016 with the vision to make air travel affordable and cheaper for all. The first flights were flagged off last year with much fanfare and slogans like 'hawai yatra in hawai chappal'. The Scheme is aimed at making air travel affordable and widespread, to boost inclusive national economic development, job growth and air transport infrastructure development of all regions and states of India.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 05, 2018 05:22 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).