Baljek Airport Set for Takeoff: Meghalaya Signs Key Agreements with AAI for 20-Seater Aircraft Operations

This long-anticipated step not only marks revival of Baljek Airport but also showcases State’s renewed focus on expanding its aviation infra.

In a major boost to regional connectivity, the Government of Meghalaya has signed two key agreements with the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the Operations & Maintenance (O\&M) and the Communications, Navigation & Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) contracts and to operationalise Baljek Airport for 20-seater aircraft.

This long-anticipated step not only marks the revival of Baljek Airport but also showcases the State’s renewed focus on expanding its aviation infrastructure. The State Transport Department and AAI were lauded for their collaborative efforts in reaching this landmark stage.

The O\&M agreement enables AAI to take over the airport on an “as is where is” basis to begin 20-seater operations and to initiate procedures for acquiring the necessary licence. Alongside this, the CNS/ATM agreement ensures essential infrastructure for safe and efficient air traffic control.

Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, while addressing the event, emphasised Baljek’s strategic location and its potential to evolve into a key logistics hub, particularly due to its proximity to international borders. He described the airport’s operationalisation as a foundational step for 30 to 50 years of regional economic transformation.

Looking ahead, the State has ambitious plans to expand Baljek Airport’s capacity. The goal is to upgrade facilities to accommodate ATR-72 aircraft. To support this vision, the State Government has already acquired 56.5 acres of additional land, based on the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) submitted by AAI in 2010 and 2017. Furthermore, AAI has requested the acquisition of 125 acres for Phase I, with a proposed 115 acres for Phase II expansion as outlined in 2020.

As Baljek Airport prepares for its inaugural operations, the State is poised to become a key player in enhancing regional connectivity and boosting economic growth across the Northeast.

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