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In order to accelerate the growth of the civil aviation sector in the North East Region (NER), Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu stressed the importance of closer cooperation between the Center, states, and the aviation industry at the 3rd North East Aviation Summit in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh.

The event, which was also the North East Region Ministers' Conference on Civil Aviation 2025, was organised by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India. It was attended by Pema Khandu, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, as the Chief Guest, and Ram Mohan Naidu, Minister for Civil Aviation, as the guest of honour.

During his inaugural address, Chief Minister Pema Khandu highlighted that transportation connectivity is the most critical sector for the development of the NER. He noted the unprecedented growth in the region's aviation infrastructure and connectivity over the last 10 years, stating that having airports in Arunachal Pradesh was a "long-cherished dream" that was realised due to the active support of the Ministry of Civil Aviation under the "visionary leadership of the Prime Minister". He credited the progress in aviation infrastructure and schemes like UDAN for transforming the socio-economic aspirations of the region.

 

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Minister Rammohan Naidu reiterated the importance of Centre-State-Industry collaboration. He stated that enhanced air connectivity is "vital for improving accessibility to remote and border areas, promoting tourism, facilitating cargo and logistics, and driving industrial as well as socio-economic growth in Arunachal Pradesh and the North East Region." He added that to realise its "strong tourism potential, the North East Region should solve its connectivity challenges at a fast pace."

The Minister also stressed the need to accelerate skilling initiatives to fast-track employment generation for the region's youth, noting that an industry-driven aviation ecosystem would be able to cater to both connectivity and employment needs. He proudly announced that the number of operational airports in the region has increased from nine in 2014 to 16 currently. He also noted that aircraft movements have nearly doubled, and domestic passenger traffic has increased more than threefold since 2014.

 

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Encouraging the states to capitalise on the region’s tourism potential, Minister Naidu stated, "You have not seen India until you have seen North East India. The natural beauty, vibrant culture, warm hospitality and the strong essence of Indianness found here are unmatched." He urged the states to focus on developing tourism infrastructure and hospitality services to complement the expanding aviation connectivity.

Highlighting future support, the minister announced that for the North Eastern group of states, "We have decided to offer four pre-feasibility studies for Greenfield Airport development every financial year, free of charge for consultancy and other expenses. This will encourage states to plan and build new airports, taking full advantage of the growth momentum." 

He assured the states of the Central Government’s continued support and emphasised that aviation is no longer a luxury but a "critical enabler of Viksit Bharat @2047." He pointed to initiatives like UDAN, airport expansion, growth of regional carriers, and focus on aviation skilling and the MRO sector as key pillars of India’s progress towards becoming the third-largest domestic aviation market.

 

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During his interaction with the Ministry, Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma highlighted that the development of aviation in the North East is not just about improving air travel but a "vital step toward unlocking the region's true potential". He said enhanced connectivity would "bridge geographical barriers, link remote areas with the rest of India, and foster stronger integration with national and international markets." 

He emphasised that better air infrastructure, including new airports, heliports, and regional connectivity through smaller aircraft and helicopters, would directly benefit tourism, trade, healthcare, and emergency services. He also noted that improved aviation services would "empower local communities by creating new employment opportunities, fostering entrepreneurship, and attracting private investment to the region."

Balo Raja, Minister of Land Management and Civil Aviation for Arunachal Pradesh, also spoke on the state's perspective, emphasising that "strengthening regional connectivity is pivotal to unlocking the immense economic potential of North East India." 

He highlighted that aviation development would play a transformative role by establishing robust air links between remote towns and metropolitan cities, which would "reduce travel time, improve mobility, and integrate the region more closely with the rest of the country." He added that "improved air cargo facilities will provide new avenues for the export of horticultural produce, handicrafts, and other local products, thereby boosting regional trade and commerce."

 

Sikkim's Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation & Industries, Tshering Bhutia, emphasised the significance of policy-driven efforts to establish a more "conducive environment for investment, ease of doing business, and expansion of air services." He reaffirmed his state's commitment to collaborating closely with the Center and promoted the "full-scale operationalisation of Pakyong Airport by expediting the resolution of challenges."

Jogen Mohan, Minister of Hill, Development and Cooperation for Assam, appreciated the ministry's effort to reach out to states and take them on as partners for policy reforms and implementation frameworks. He detailed Assam's aspirations and the critical role civil aviation can play in achieving them.

 

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In order to address particular connectivity issues as well as infrastructure and support needs, the Ministry met one-on-one with representatives from the participating states and Union Territories. The importance of public-private collaboration was highlighted by the active participation of over 70 industry stakeholders, including cargo players, OEMs, FTOs, MROs, airline and helicopter operators, and drone companies.

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) provided the vital industry interface for organising the regional conference. The event also featured presentations by the Ministry of Civil Aviation on Airport and Helipad Development Models, UDAN, Skilling in Aviation, and Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS), providing states with sectoral insights and implementation pathways.

Additionally, attention was drawn to the upcoming flagship event, Wings India 2026, which is jointly organised by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Airports Authority of India, and FICCI. Scheduled to take place from January 28 to 31, 2026, the event will serve as a premier platform to showcase the growth and opportunities in the Indian civil aviation sector.

Prior to the main event at the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Minister Rammohan Naidu and Chief Minister Pema Khandu visited the new Terminal Building of Donyl Polo Airport as it began operations for passenger movement. The new terminal, built over 4,100 square meters, has increased the airport's passenger handling capacity to 1 million passengers per annum and its peak hour capacity to 800. 

The Minister also inaugurated the UDAN Yatri cafe, a creche for toddlers, and the AVSAR shop (Airport as Venue for Skilled Artisans of the Region) within the terminal. The Indigo flight to Delhi took off from the new terminal.

 

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