Itanagar, Feb 17: Arunachal Pradesh Civil Aviation Minister Balo Raja met officials from Alliance Air and SpiceJet in New Delhi on Monday to discuss enhancing air connectivity to the state’s remote Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) and major southern cities such as Bengaluru and Chennai.

Accompanied by Civil Aviation Secretary Mamta Riba and other officials, Raja first met Alliance Air CEO Rajarshi Sen, acknowledging the airline’s services to Ziro, Pasighat, and Tezu airports, which facilitate visits to key sites like the Hindu pilgrimage Parashuram Kund and Namsai’s Golden Pagoda.

Raja urged Alliance Air to operate fixed-wing flights to Mechukha, Walong, and Tuting ALGs, supporting central government objectives for frontier development, security, and connectivity. He also proposed daily ATR-72 flights on the Guwahati-Hollongi route. Sen assured operations to ALGs once ready and additional Dornier 228 flights between Itanagar and Guwahati.

In discussions with SpiceJet Vice President C S Palani, Raja highlighted the travel needs of students and patients heading to southern metros. Palani agreed to explore flights from Hollongi airport to southern cities, including options using new fleets and seaplane services.

Raja described the meetings as “productive” steps toward improving Arunachal Pradesh’s air connectivity via Hollongi.