Guwahati is now connected with Singapore as Bhutan-based Drukair is all set to fly between the destinations this September. An official release from the Assam chief minister’s office said that the inaugural flight will take off on September 1.
Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal took part at the ceremonial launch of the new international flight in Guwahati on August 30.
Speaking on the occasion, Sonowal said that diplomatic relations between India and Bhutan would receive a major boost with the launch of the international flight by Drukair – Royal Bhutan Airlines connecting Guwahati with Singapore.
Sonowal termed the initiative historic and expressed his deep appreciation to the Royal Government of Bhutan and Drukair – Royal Bhutan Airlines for the endeavour to connect Guwahati directly with Singapore. He said that the initiative would not only facilitate trade and people to people contact among Bhutan, Assam and Singapore but also contribute towards strengthening social, cultural and economic ties.
Extolling the deep rooted relationship between India and Bhutan, chief minister Sonowal said that the new initiative in aviation sector would give a major fillip to diplomatic relations between the two nations. He said that the linkages between the two countries have deep historical and civilization roots, going back to several centuries. “Bhutan has always been our most exotic and resourceful neighbour with its unique and vibrant ethnicity and is known for promoting peace and human values,” he said.
Stating that Government of India’s Act East Policy has turned the entire Northeast region into the Centre of New India’s growth vision and implementation, Sonowal observed that Bhutan should also take full advantage of this policy for greater economic empowerment.
Karma Tsheltrim, advisor to the interim government, ministry of economic affairs of Royal Government of Bhutan, Assam industry and commerce minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, forest minister Parimal Suklabaidya, Ambassador at Royal Bhutanese Consulate General in Guwahati Kesang Wangdi, senior dignitaries of the Royal Government of Bhutan and Drukair Corporation Limited etc. were present during the occasion.
Tickets for the flight were unavailable at some of the top travel booking websites till the filing of this report. The official website of Drukair didn’t list Guwahati-Singapore as part of its itinerary but a Guwahati-Bangkok direct flight was shown from September 1 (every Saturday and Wednesday) onwards.
