As a follow-up to the recently-held Advantage Assam: Global Investors’ Summit – India’s Expressway to ASEAN, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal held a meeting with the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Air Asia, Amar Abrol and discussed the detailed modalities of starting direct flights between Guwahati with ASEAN countries.
The meeting which was held at the Chief Minister’s office chamber here on Monday evening discussed the Air Asia’s plan of making Guwahati as its principal hub for the company’s South East Asia operations.
The CEO of Air Asia submitted a proposal to Chief Minister Sonowal of Air Asia’s expansion plan in Guwahati and to connect the city with frequent direct flights with Chennai, Hyderabad, Vizag, Bagdogra, etc. besides ASEAN countries.
Sonowal said that the State government is working very seriously to make Guwahati the nerve of Centre’s Act East Policy and therefore wanted to start direct flights with ASEAN and BBN countries. He also informed Air Asia CEO that his government in association with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Government of India is in constant touch with ASEAN countries to persuade them to set up their consulate offices in Guwahati, stated a government press communiqué.
Assam CM Sonowal also said that the construction works of new terminal building of Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport is going on in full swing and very shortly the airport will be transformed into an integrated airport with state-of-the-art facilities for the passengers.
Sonowal assured of providing all government help to Air Asia and requested the company to materialise international flight services before the festive occasion of Rongali Bihu this year. Chief Minister’s Media and Legal Advisors Hirshikesh Goswami and Shantanu Bharali, Principal Secretary Finance Ravi Kota were also present during the meeting, it added.