GURUGRAM, September 7, 2018: SpiceJet, the country’s favourite carrier,
today announced the launch of its operations for the much awaited un-served market of
Pakyong (Gangtok) from October 4 that would provide much needed air connectivity to the
North-Eastern State of Sikkim.
SpiceJet is the only Indian airline to provide air connectivity from Sikkim to the rest
of the country and beyond. Pakyong (Gangtok) will be SpiceJet’s ninth destination under
the regional connectivity scheme UDAN and is the only operational civil airport
handling commercial operations in the State.
The airline will operate daily direct flights on the Pakyong-Kolkata sector from 4th
October and Pakyong-Guwahati sector effective 16th October. SpiceJet was awarded the
routes under UDAN II.
The announcement was made in the august presence of Shri Pawan Kumar Chamling, Hon’ble
Chief Minister of Sikkim. On the occasion, senior SpiceJet officials handed over the
first ticket to Shri Pawan Kumar Chamling, thereby marking the formal announcement of
the launch of the new flight service.
Ajay Singh – Chairman and Managing Director, SpiceJet said, “I am
delighted to announce the launch of our much awaited flight services to Pakyong. Today
is a very proud moment for us and a historic moment for the state of Sikkim as SpiceJet
becomes the first and only airline to connect this majestic state to the rest of the
country and beyond. Our new flights will provide a major boost to tourism and we are
proud to contribute to the growth story of this vibrant state.”
In the absence of direct air connectivity to the State, tourists headed for Sikkim
currently have to fly to Bagdogra and then take a road journey of over 100 km to reach
Gangtok. With the introduction of the direct flights from Pakyong the extra travel time
will now be avoided.
With the addition of Pakyong-Kolkata and Pakyong-Guwahati flights, SpiceJet will operate
21 flights under UDAN on the routes of --- Mumbai-Porbandar, Mumbai-Kandla-Mumbai,
Hyderabad-Puducherry-Hyderabad, Jaipur-Jaisalmer-Jaipur, Delhi-Adampur-Delhi,
Chennai-Hubli-Chennai, Hyderabad-Hubli-Hyderabad, Delhi-Kanpur-Delhi and
Delhi-Kishangarh-Delhi.
The Pakyong airport is an engineering marvel situated at a height of more than 4,500
feet. On March 10, SpiceJet had successfully operated a test flight to Pakyong making
it the first civil fixed aircraft to land at the airport.
To celebrate the launch, SpiceJet has announced a limited period special introductory
all-inclusive one-way fare of INR 2680 for Pakyong-Kolkata and INR 2060 for
Pakyong-Guwahati. The offer is applicable for bookings made on a first come first serve
basis.
With the introduction of the daily direct flight services on the route, passengers from
Pakyong can now conveniently travel to a host of other cities both on SpiceJet’s
domestic as well as international network via multiple onward connections from Kolkata
and Guwahati.
SpiceJet was awarded 22 new sectors under the second round of bidding for the Government
of India's UDAN Regional Connectivity Scheme. Out of these 22, 19 catered to unserved
markets of Kannur (Kerala), Darbhanga (Bihar), Ozar (Nashik), Pakyong (Sikkim),
Kishangarh (Rajasthan), Lilabari (Assam), Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu), Bokaro(Jharkhand) and
Solapur (Maharashtra) whereas 3 were the underserved markets of Hubli (Karnataka).
SpiceJet will be deploying its Bombardier Q-400 aircraft on the route. SG 3324 operating
on the Kolkata-Pakyong route will depart from Kolkata for Pakyong at 09.30 am, whereas
SG 3325 operating on the route of Pakyong-Guwahati route will depart at 11.15 am.
Bookings are now open on www.spicejet.com, SpiceJet’s mobile app and through online
travel portals and travel agents.
Flight Schedule:
Flt No. |
Origin |
Destination |
Departure |
Arrival |
Frequency |
Date of operation |
SG 3324 |
Kolkata |
Pakyong |
9:30 |
10:55 |
Daily |
4-Oct-18 |
SG 3327 |
Pakyong |
Kolkata |
11:15 |
12:45 |
Daily |
04 Oct-18 – 15 Oct-18 |
SG 3327 |
Pakyong |
Kolkata |
14:50 |
16:20 |
Daily |
16-Oct-18 |
SG 3325 |
Pakyong |
Guwahati |
11:15 |
12:30 |
Daily |
16-Oct-18 |
SG 3326 |
Guwahati |
Pakyong |
13:00 |
14:05 |
Daily |
16-Oct-18 |
|