Pakyong (Sikkim), Sep 24: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday inaugurated the first greenfield airport of Sikkim at Pakyong. Sikkim's dream of having an airport came true nine years after a foundation stone for it was laid here, around 33 km from state capital Gangtok, in 2009.

The first commercial flight from Pakyong would begin from October 4. Pakyong airport will pave the way for direct connectivity to Sikkim and is the 100th airport of the country.

Located around 60 km from the Indo-China border, the airport is spread across over 201 acres and is located on the top of a hill about two km above Pakyong village at 4,500 feet above sea level, Sikkim Chief Secretary A K Srivastava said.