India's Myanmar envoy bats for reciprocal flight service
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 24 2013: Noting that Tulihal Airport is officially in the international aviation map with the maiden landing of the Golden Myanmar flight from Mandalay recently, Indian Ambassador to Myanmar Gautam Mukhopadhyay expressed that it is right time for the Indian Airlines to chart out a plan for direct flight operation from Imphal to Mandalay as reciprocal gesture.

Speaking to The Sangai Express at Tulihal Airport today, Gautam also exuded confidence that the next few months would certainly see various positive development in the aviation sector in the region.

In addition to the need for minute study on whether there should be regular commercial flight service between Imphal and Mandalay the perspective of adding other routes should not be overlooked, mooted the Indian envoy adding that the quantum of demand from both sides is another important factor for sustaining the international flight service.

CS Lawmkunga with the Indian Ambassador to Myanmar Gautam Mukhopadhyay

Even though the Ambassador expressed satisfaction on the successful maiden international flight from Mandalay to Tulihal, he, however stated that for the State's only airport to become a favourable destination from Mandalay there is still need for infrastructure improvement.

Explaining his viewpoint, Gautam said that Visa obtaining process for a trip to Myanmar necessitating going to Kolkata would be detrimental in sustaining the service.

Similarly, there is need for providing Visa processing facility in Manipur along with infrastructure development for customs clearance, he maintained while confiding that both Indian and Myanmar authorities are committed to bring about positive development for regular international flight service in the coming months.

Pointing out that the first international flight landing at Tulihal is an outcome of collective effort of the Myanmar, Indian and Manipur State Governments, the Ambassador affirmed efforts are on to establish international flight connections in other North Eastern States.

With regard to the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Governments of India and Myanmar for Imphal-Mandalay bus service, Gautam explained that actual operation of the service is yet to materialise as the neighbouring country needs to work out certain internal issues.

Till the time there is significant improvement in the condition of the route's road as well as some technical aspects the surface transport service might not materialise some more months, opined Gautam Mukhopadhyay.