Imphal-Silchar flight service to resume from Nov 24 under Manipur VGF scheme
Synopsis
Manipur is restoring the Imphal-Silchar air link from 24 November under its VGF scheme — but the revival masks a deeper crisis: fares on Imphal routes are reportedly five to six times higher than elsewhere in the Northeast, aircraft numbers have been falling since October, and the state has been pressing Delhi for UDAN inclusion. The new route is a small fix to a large problem.
Key Takeaways
Imphal-Silchar-Imphal flight service resumes on 24 November 2026 , operated by Alliance Air on Tuesdays and Thursdays .
The route operates under Manipur's Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme , now covering four routes including Imphal-Guwahati, Imphal-Dimapur, and Imphal-Kolkata.
Airfares on Imphal-connected routes are reportedly five to six times higher than those in other northeastern states.
Additional Chief Secretary Anurag Bajpai had flagged airfare capping non-compliance and declining aircraft numbers to the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation .
Manipur has urged the Centre to include key routes under the UDAN Regional Connectivity Scheme to improve affordable air access.
Flight services on the Imphal-Silchar-Imphal route will recommence from 24 November 2026, the Manipur government announced on 15 November, in a move aimed at strengthening regional air connectivity between the landlocked northeastern state and the Barak Valley region of southern Assam. The service will operate under the state's Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme, with flights run by Alliance Air twice a week — on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Key Details of the New Route
The Manipur Transport Department has initiated the formal process for the route's commencement, according to officials. With the Imphal-Silchar sector added, the state's VGF scheme will now cover four routes: Imphal-Guwahati, Imphal-Dimapur, Imphal-Kolkata, and Imphal-Silchar. The new link is expected to ease travel for residents, traders, students, and patients seeking healthcare in connected regions.
Background: Manipur's Persistent Air Connectivity Crisis
The resumption comes against a backdrop of prolonged pressure from the Manipur government on the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA). Additional Chief Secretary Anurag Bajpai, who oversees the Transport, Textiles, Commerce and Industry departments, had earlier held multiple meetings with the Civil Aviation Secretary and senior Ministry officials, flagging severe affordability and availability issues on Imphal-connected routes.
Bajpai had highlighted that airfares on these routes were reportedly five to six times higher than those prevailing in other northeastern states, with airlines including IndiGo, Air India Express, and Alliance Air cited for charging exorbitant fares. He also noted that government guidelines on airfare capping were reportedly not being followed on these routes.
Notably, the number of aircraft operating on Imphal-connected sectors had declined since October, further aggravating passenger hardships. Alliance Air had earlier discontinued services on several key routes, including Imphal-Aizawl and Imphal-Dibrugarh, in addition to the Imphal-Silchar sector now being revived.
UDAN Inclusion and Regional Connectivity Push
The Manipur government has also urged the Centre to reconsider including these routes under the UDAN Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN), citing strong public demand and the need for affordable air links across the region. Officials argue that the state's geographic isolation makes robust air connectivity not a convenience but an essential service — particularly for access to healthcare, education, and commerce.
What This Means for Manipur and the Northeast
The Imphal-Silchar link is strategically significant: Silchar serves as the commercial and administrative hub of the Barak Valley, and the restored air corridor is expected to facilitate trade flows and reduce travel times for residents on both sides. This is also part of a broader effort to tighten economic and social ties across the northeastern region. For Manipur, which remains largely dependent on road connectivity that is frequently disrupted, an expanded air network carries outsized importance. How quickly fares normalise on the new route — and whether the UDAN inclusion request is acted upon — will determine whether this translates into genuine relief for travellers.
Point of View
But it is a patch on a structural wound. Fares reportedly running five to six times above regional norms point to a near-monopoly pricing environment that VGF alone cannot fix — the scheme subsidises the airline, not necessarily the passenger. The real question is why airfare capping guidelines are reportedly going unenforced on these routes, and why UDAN — designed precisely for underserved northeastern corridors — has not yet been extended here. Until those systemic gaps are addressed, Manipur's air connectivity story will remain one of announcements outpacing outcomes.
NationPress
16 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the new Imphal-Silchar flight service start?
The Imphal-Silchar-Imphal flight service is scheduled to commence on 24 November 2026, operating twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays under the Manipur government's Viability Gap Funding scheme.
Which airline will operate the Imphal-Silchar route?
Alliance Air will operate the Imphal-Silchar-Imphal route under a VGF arrangement with the Manipur state government.
What is the Manipur VGF Scheme for flights?
The Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme is a Manipur government initiative that financially supports airlines to operate on routes that may not be commercially viable on their own. It now covers four routes: Imphal-Guwahati, Imphal-Dimapur, Imphal-Kolkata, and Imphal-Silchar.
Why are airfares so high on Imphal routes?
According to the Manipur government, airfares on Imphal-connected routes are reportedly five to six times higher than those in other northeastern states. Officials have flagged non-compliance with government airfare capping guidelines and a decline in aircraft operating on these sectors since October.
Has Manipur requested UDAN scheme inclusion for these routes?
Yes, the Manipur government has urged the Centre to include routes such as Imphal-Silchar, Imphal-Aizawl, and Imphal-Dibrugarh under the UDAN Regional Connectivity Scheme, citing strong public demand and the need for affordable connectivity in the region.
