Nagaland resumes domestic flights; 109 passengers arrive in Dimapur airport

Our Reporter
Dimapur, June 1 (EMN): Nagaland resumed domestic flights on Monday as Air India aircraft carrying 109 passengers from Kolkata arrived in Dimapur airport, more than two months after stopping the services to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19).

A total of 71 passengers were from Dimapur, 36 from Kohima and two from Assam. The Assam passengers were informed to have been transported straight to Bokajan from the airport while Kohima passengers left for the state capital after arrival and the Dimapur returnees were taken to the Agri Expo for further screening after which they were informed to have headed to their quarantine centres.

Speaking to Eastern Mirror, a passenger who studies in Chennai and bound for Kohima, expressed happiness on reaching Nagaland.

“I am just very happy to set foot on Nagaland; I don’t mind the quarantine period at all,” the passenger said, adding that he was looking forward to a new experience.

Another group of students from Mangalore informed that they flew via Bangalore, Kolkata and then reached Dimapur, having spent a night at the Kolkata airport.

“We are very happy to reach Nagaland and hope everyone that came on the flight is safe from the virus,” said one student.

Food and juice packages were also provided to the returnees.

The agriculture production commissioner (APC) and over all in-charge of Covid-related activities in Dimapur, Y Kikheto Sema, said that everything is running smoothly as of now and almost 50 percent of returnees from other states have arrived.

“The next big arrival will be from Bangalore scheduled to arrive on June 5, another 50 percent is yet to come from outside,” said Sema.

He shared that so far, everyone has been obeying protocols and guidelines upon arrival and no major issues have come up with the return of the Nagaland citizens.

Earlier in the morning, Alliance Air from Guwahati to Dimapur also arrived with 17 passengers, an official informed.