•  Introduction of the new direct flight between Guwahati and Dhaka has brought a ray of hope among entrepreneurs of the State.
• This flight is a milestone for our tourism industry, especially for the medical tourism sector. With proper planning and implementation.
• Guwahati would be a medical hub for the people of the entire South-East Asia region in the near future.
• Such a flight will not only help in the development of trade but will also tighten the cultural bonding among the people.
• Direct flights from Guwahati are very much essential to other neighbouring countries as well.
• This initiative under UDAN scheme.

UDAN scheme:

• UDAN, launched in April 2017, is a flagship scheme of the Union Government to enable air operations on unserved routes, connecting regional areas, to promote balanced regional growth and to make flying affordable for masses.
• The UDAN Scheme is a key component of the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) which was launched in June 2016.

Objectives of the scheme:

• The primary objective of RCS is to facilitate / stimulate regional air connectivity by making it cheap and affordable.
• Promoting affordability of regional air connectivity is envisioned under RCS by supporting airline operators through: Concessions and Financial (viability gap funding or VGF) support.

Significance:

• The scheme gives India’s aviation sector a boost by giving a chance to small and first-time operators to be a part of the rapid growth in passenger traffic.