How Will Direct Flights Between Agartala and Bagdogra Enhance Air Connectivity?
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Synopsis
Exciting developments are underway in air travel as Agartala gears up for direct flights to Bagdogra and a revival of services to Silchar. Discover how these changes will enhance connectivity and boost tourism in the region, creating new opportunities for travelers and the local economy.
Key Takeaways
- Direct flights to Bagdogra will commence soon.
- Air connectivity to Silchar is resuming after 30 years.
- Agartala will have flights to 10 destinations.
- A new terminal at MBB Airport can handle international and domestic passengers.
- Significant economic growth is expected in the region.
Agartala, Oct 26 (NationPress) The launch of direct flight services linking Agartala with Bagdogra in West Bengal is set to commence this Sunday evening, while the air route between Agartala and Silchar in southern Assam will return on October 28 after a gap of nearly 30 years, officials reported.
S. Haokip Jempu, the Assistant General Manager of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) in Agartala, announced that Air India Express will initiate its Agartala–Bagdogra flight from Maharaja Bir Bikram (MBB) Airport this Sunday evening.
Located approximately 68 km from the renowned tourist hotspot of Darjeeling, Bagdogra Airport in Siliguri, North Bengal, is a key travel gateway. Jempu also highlighted that services between Agartala and Silchar are set to operate twice weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays, starting October 28.
This route will be serviced by IndiGo, marking the revival of air travel between these two Northeastern cities after nearly three decades.
With these new services, Agartala will enjoy direct air links to 10 destinations across India. Currently, the capital of Tripura is connected to cities including Kolkata, Delhi, Imphal, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Dibrugarh, Guwahati, and Chennai.
According to officials from AAI, MBB Airport holds the 10th position nationwide in terms of customer satisfaction among Indian airports.
Presently, between 13 to 16 flights operate daily, accommodating around 4,000 to 5,000 passengers each day.
The newly constructed terminal at MBB Airport, boasting a built-up area of 30,000 square meters, is designed to simultaneously manage both domestic and international travelers during peak hours.
Agartala's MBB Airport ranks as the second busiest in the Northeast, following the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport in Guwahati. There are a total of 23 airports in the northeastern region, with 17 currently operational, including Guwahati, Silchar, Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Tezpur, Lilabari, Rupsi (Assam), Tezu, Pasighat, Ziro, and Donyi Polo Airport (Arunachal Pradesh), alongside Agartala (Tripura), Imphal (Manipur), Shillong (Meghalaya), Dimapur (Nagaland), Lengpui (Mizoram), and Pakyong (Sikkim).
Additionally, Tripura's Transport and Tourism Minister, Sushanta Chowdhury, mentioned that the state government plans to provide financial backing for the proposed Agartala–Chittagong (Bangladesh) flight service, which will be operated by SpiceJet.
The government has earmarked Rs 15 crore for this initiative, with an initial payment of Rs 3.85 crore made in advance back in December 2022, alongside deploying 25 police personnel to assist the Bureau of Immigration under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
However, the commencement of flights between Agartala and Chittagong has faced delays due to political instability in Bangladesh since August of last year.
Historian and author Pannalal Roy noted that the land for Agartala, Kailashahar, and several other now-defunct airports in Tripura was gifted by the state’s former royal family.
“During World War II, King Bir Bikram backed the Allied forces, particularly Great Britain, and dispatched a contingent of the Tripura Army to aid them. Airports in Agartala, Kailashahar, and elsewhere were constructed to support the Allied forces,” Roy, an expert on Tripura’s royal history, shared with IANS.
He added that in 1943, Agartala airport was bombed twice by Japanese fighter planes.
Point of View
The new direct flight services from Agartala to Bagdogra and the revival of the Agartala-Silchar route represent a significant step towards improving regional air connectivity. These developments not only enhance transportation options for residents and tourists but also foster economic growth in the northeastern region, promoting its potential as a travel destination.
NationPress
29/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the direct flight services to Bagdogra start?
The direct flight services connecting Agartala with Bagdogra will commence on Sunday evening.
How often will the Agartala-Silchar flights operate?
Flights between Agartala and Silchar will operate twice a week, specifically on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Which airline is operating the new Agartala-Silchar route?
IndiGo will be operating the newly resumed flights between Agartala and Silchar.
What are the other destinations connected to Agartala?
Agartala is now connected to 10 destinations, including Kolkata, Delhi, Imphal, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Dibrugarh, Guwahati, and Chennai.
What is the significance of MBB Airport in Agartala?
MBB Airport ranks 10th in India for customer satisfaction and is the second busiest airport in the Northeast.
