Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh said the Shillong Airport project is going to be a game changer, adding that the tender process has already started and work will begin shortly. He further informed that by the end of 2026 the expansion is expected to be completed, which will take the experience of tourists to the next level. Shillong, recently voted the most favoured tourist destination in the country despite not having a fully functional airport, is set to benefit greatly from the project.
“The Shillong Airport project…is going to be a game changer and even right now as we speak the tender process has already started and work will begin shortly,” Lyngdoh stated. He further informed, “By the end of 2026 we hope that the expansion of the Shillong Airport will also be completed and that will take the experience of tourists to the next level.”
Alongside the airport expansion, the government has also announced plans to launch helicopter services to Umiam, Sohra, Dawki, Shillong, and Mawsynram, with discussions underway with the aviation ministry to speed up implementation.
Emphasizing Shillong’s rising appeal among travellers, Lyngdoh said, “It is a rare achievement for a state that is yet to have completely functional airport,” while noting that the city has already been voted the most favoured tourist destination in the country. To complement the airport project, the government has also unveiled plans to introduce helicopter services connecting key tourist hotspots including Umiam, Sohra, Dawki, Shillong, and Mawsynram. “Our intention is that we speed matters up. We are talking to the aviation ministry,” he added.
