Air India has officially announced the suspension of all flight operations to and from Silchar Airport, effective June 1, 2025. This decision signifies the end of nearly seven decades of uninterrupted service that the airline has provided to this region. The last Air India flight, which linked Silchar with Kolkata, took off early Monday morning, marking a poignant conclusion to over 50 years of operations at Kumbhirgram Airport in Assam.
According to officials at Silchar Airport, flight AI 753 arrived from Kolkata at 7:05 AM, bringing with it 117 passengers eager to reach their destination. Shortly after, the return flight, AI 754, departed for Kolkata at 7:55 AM, carrying only 52 passengers. This final flight symbolises the end of an era for Air India’s operations in this area, which has served as a vital link for the local population.
Since its inaugural flight in 1955, Air India (originally known as Indian Airlines) has played an essential role in connecting Silchar in Assam with major cities across India. The Silchar-Kolkata route has been particularly important for the residents of the Barak Valley, facilitating not only travel but also commerce, tourism, and cultural exchange. The absence of these flights is expected to significantly impact the local community, as many have relied on this service for both personal and professional reasons throughout the decades.
Parimal Suklabaidya, the Member of Parliament for Silchar, has raised concerns about recent suspensions, particularly in light of ongoing disruptions caused by floods that are impacting rail and road connectivity in the region. In a media statement on Monday, Suklabaidya mentioned that he discussed this issue with Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya, the Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution, during the latter's recent visit to Barak Valley. Bambhaniya assured Suklabaidya that the matter would be addressed promptly.
Suklabaidya also noted that IndiGo Airlines plans to launch a morning flight from Silchar to Guwahati soon. Moreover, on May 26, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma met with Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu in Delhi to discuss improvements to air connectivity and airport infrastructure, including plans for a greenfield airport in Silchar. Their discussions also focused on expanding flight connections from Jorhat, Dibrugarh, and Silchar to more cities across India.
Meanwhile, in March 2025, the Assam government had unveiled plans to construct its inaugural expressway, an ambitious project with an investment of INR 25,000 crore. This expressway aims to significantly enhance connectivity between the bustling cities of Guwahati and Silchar, two vital economic and tourism hubs in the state. This initiative will facilitate smoother logistics, encourage tourism, and foster economic growth by reducing travel time between the two places to just four hours.
