Trial flight at Cooch Behar Airport

 

COOCH BEHAR, Oct. 27: If things go well the long awaited air service from Cooch Behar Airport may resume from next month. After the trial flight done today the hope is taking a realistic shape. The last flight that took off from this airport was in 1992. Bayudoot service was operational then between Kolkata and Cooch Behar. A large number of people rushed to the airport to see the aircraft today.  

 

A 48-seater ATR-42 aircraft of Air Deccan landed at about 10-28 a.m. at Cooch Behar Airport today. It took off from Dum Dum at about 8-57 a.m. There were 17 cabin crews and officials of Air Deccan including the Base Captain, Dum Dum, Mr NC Haldar and two pilots – Mr Jose M Pinilla and Mr Sergio Carrasco.

 

Mr Haldar said they would submit a detailed report to the authorities concerned over today's flight. Regular service along Cooch Behar-Kolkata air route may resume from next month, he hoped.

 

After landing at Cooch Behar Airport the Air Deccan men opined that the runway was good enough for operations. During trial they took off from the airport and landed again successfully. Finally, they flew back to Kolkata at about 12-noon.

 

Officer-in-charge of Cooch Behar Airport, Mr Sujay Das told media persons that setting up of a new terminal building is going on. The existing runway will also be extended. A better lounge for passengers will also come up. Presently the security system is being fabricated. Installing of a control tower and a fire service unit are being done, he added.

 

Mr Haldar of Air Deccan said they are yet to decide the passenger fare. They will fly 48-seater aircrafts along Cooch Behar-Kolkata route. The flight may take about 75-minute. Extension of the route to northeastern region will be decided after examining the viability of the Cooch Behar-Kolkata service, he said. []