Non-clearance derails Imphal-Mandalay flight service once again

Imphal, Jun 24 : Contrary to the repeated assurances given for better connectivity between Manipur and the rest of South East Asian region in the backdrop of India's Look East Policy, the proposed starting of international chartered flight between Imphal in India and Mandalay in Myanmar has been postponed indefinitely as the authorities concerned have not given the required clearance.

The development has come like throwing cold water over the whole efforts made by a private travel operator in the State for starting the flight services all these years.

Issuing a press statement in this regard today, KB Enterprises announced that the flight service which was slated to begin from June 27 has to be postponed as there have been no clearances from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, the Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi.

Moreover, Airport Authority of India is yet to complete the installation of certain units for the starting of international flight, it added.

KB Enterprises proprietor P Kunjabihari said the proposed flight service is for the sectors of Imphal to Mandalay and then to Imphal.

The ATR 72-600 chartered international flight by Golden Myanmar Airlines is to arrange the flight with KB Enterprises.

P Kunjabihari then said the flight schedule will be announced again once the clearances are made by the concerned authorities.

It can be noted here that the maiden flight to this sector was made by Golden Myanmar Airlines last year which brought official delegates from Myanmar to participate in the biggest tourism festival in the State, The Sangai Festival.