Arunachal Pradesh is set to witness a significant boost in air travel with the inauguration of a new terminal at the Donyi Polo Airport in Hollongi. Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu inaugurated the facility on Thursday, highlighting the Central government’s focus on enhancing connectivity in the Northeast.
The new terminal dramatically increases the airport’s capacity, with a pre-covered area capable of handling 800 passengers, a substantial upgrade from the previous temporary facility’s capacity of just 150. This expansion is expected to accommodate up to 1.5 million passengers annually.
Starting September 17, Donyi Polo Airport will have daily flights to Delhi, a significant increase from the current four-day-a-week schedule. Minister Naidu stated that discussions are underway to introduce more daily flights to other major cities and to develop heliports across the state, further improving regional links.
The expansion is part of the renewed UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, which has been extended for another decade with a special emphasis on the Northeast, hilly states, and aspirational districts. The scheme aims to make air travel more accessible by supporting airlines on previously unviable routes.
In addition to the infrastructure upgrade, the airport has launched several passenger-centric initiatives to enhance the travel experience. These include the UDAN Yatri Cafe for affordable food and beverages, a library, the AVASAR platform for local artisans and women’s self-help groups to sell their products, and a new kids’ store. The government also plans to provide free Wi-Fi and more charging stations for travelers.
The Donyi Polo Airport, which began operations in 2022, is part of a broader network of airports being developed in Arunachal Pradesh, including facilities at Pasighat, Tezu, and Ziro. At present, the airport connects Itanagar with Guwahati, Kolkata, and Tezu.
