Pakyong Airport is one of the five highest airports in India. It is also the first greenfield airport constructed in the North-eastern Region of India under RCS scheme of Govt. of India and the only airport in the state of Sikkim.

Sikkim’s dream of heaving an airport come true nine years after laying foundation stone to the greenfield airport in the year 2009.

Located 65 km from Bagdogra Airport and 60 km from Indo-China Border and provides a time saving alternative option to the tourists seeking to explore the green state of Sikkim.

It was inaugurated on 24th September 2018 by India’s prime minister Shri Narendra Modi, and commercial flight operations started from 4th October 2018.

Upon its opening, major media across the globe praised its engineering and described it as one of the most scenic airports in the world.

The airport is spread over 201 acres of land and is located on top of a hill about two km from Pakyong town at 4646 feet above sea level.

The airport was constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 708 crore and is an “engineering marvel” for its soil reinforcement and state-of-the -art geo-technical include soil slope stabilisation techniques keeping in view the altitude it was built at. The reinforcement wall of the project is 80-meter-high, one of the tallest in the world.

The airport has a 1.70 km runway with a width of 30 meter. It has a 116-meter-long taxiway connecting it to an apron measuring 106 metre by 76 meter that can simultaneously accommodate two Bombardier De Havilland Q-400 or equivalent aircraft.Integrated structures comprising of passenger terminal building, ATC tower -cum-fire station, two sophisticated CFTs, high-intensity runway lights, parking for over 50 vehicles are some of the features of the airport.

Importance of Pakyong Airport for Tourism

Pakyong Airport is a major boost from Tourism aspect. No doubt, Sikkim has emerged as one of the popular traveller’s destination in recent years. Earlier, nearest airport to connect Sikkim was ‘Bagdogra airport’ in the neighbouring state of West Bengal, which is about 5 hours road journey from Sikkim. Owing to the operational status of Pakyong airport, people can directly fly to Sikkim, which has created new sensation among Indians and foreigners. The state of Sikkim which has achieved the title of “First Organic State of India” in 2016, has now marvellous Pakyong Airport to add as a feather to its cap.

Places to visit near Pakyong

       Saramsa Garden

       Sikkim Science Center

       Jawaharlal Nehru Botanical Garden

       Rumtek monastery

       Yakten Village