India, May 6 -- The Uttarakhand government has formally requested the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to take over Baljek Airport -located on the outskirts of Tura, the principal town of West Garo Hills District -on an Operations and Maintenance (O&M) basis, in a renewed effort to boost air connectivity in western Meghalaya.

The immediate goal is to operationalise the airport for 20-seater aircraft, with a clear roadmap to upgrade it for ATR-72-type aircraft in subsequent phases.

To initiate this process, the State has urged AAI to begin the licensing procedure with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Simultaneously, key agreements on Operations and Maintenance ((O&M)) and Communications, Navigation & Surveillance/Air Tr...