Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, alongside Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, inaugurated the 6th Helicopter and Small Aircraft Summit 2024 on Thursday.
The event, which took place in Shillong, saw the launch of the demonstration of seaplane operations at Umiam Lake, marking a significant step towards enhancing regional connectivity under the UDAN scheme.
The summit, a key gathering of aviation industry leaders and state officials from the Northeast, was hosted by the Meghalaya state government in collaboration with Pawan Hans Ltd. and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
It provided a platform for discussions on the region’s aviation potential and its role in boosting connectivity and economic development.
In his address, Chief Minister Sangma highlighted the importance of regional connectivity, underscoring Meghalaya’s strategic geographical position as a bridge for India’s Act East Policy.
“Meghalaya, with its proximity to South East Asian nations, has a unique opportunity to contribute significantly to the growing aviation sector,” Sangma said, calling on stakeholders to leverage the region’s potential.
Minister Naidu, who is on a two-day visit to the state, also took part in the seaplane demonstration at Umiam Lake.
The seaplane, offering passengers a panoramic view of the lake, took off from a jetty point, marking a successful test flight.
This demonstration is part of the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s initiative to explore inland transport solutions through amphibious aircraft, a project aligned with the UDAN scheme to improve regional air travel.
The summit aimed to promote the expansion of small aircraft and helicopter services across the Northeast, a region with vast untapped potential for air travel.
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