Agartala is set to soar higher on India’s aviation map as the Airports Authority of India (AAI) announced two new flight routes — Agartala–Bagdogra and Agartala–Silchar — significantly expanding Tripura’s air connectivity network. The new services, operated by Air India Express and IndiGo respectively, are expected to enhance regional accessibility, tourism, and economic exchange across the Northeast.
The inaugural Air India Express flight connecting Agartala and Bagdogra took off Sunday from the Maharaja Bir Bikram (MBB) Airport in the Tripura capital. The direct link to Bagdogra Airport in North Bengal — located just 68 km from Darjeeling and serving as the gateway to Kalimpong and Sikkim — marks a major step in improving connectivity between the Northeast and the Himalayan foothills.
Meanwhile, IndiGo will resume its Agartala–Silchar service on October 28, nearly three decades after the route was discontinued. The flight will operate twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Fridays, offering long-awaited relief to travellers and boosting economic ties between Tripura and southern Assam.
S. Haokip Jempu, General Manager of AAI (Agartala), said the new additions will make Agartala directly connected to ten destinations across India. “The addition of Bagdogra and Silchar will not only improve air accessibility for passengers but also foster trade, tourism, and cultural exchange in the Northeast,” he noted.
Agartala’s aviation history stretches back to World War II. The airport was built in 1942 on land donated by Maharaja Bir Bikram Manikya Bahadur to assist Allied operations. Originally known as Singerbill Airport, it was renamed Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport in 2018 to honour his vision and contribution to Tripura’s modernisation.
The MBB Airport is currently the second busiest airport in the Northeast after Guwahati’s Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LGBI). Handling 4,000 to 5,000 passengers daily with 13 to 16 regular flights, MBB Airport ranks among the top ten in India in customer satisfaction.
Spread over 30,000 square metres, the airport’s modern terminal is equipped to handle both domestic and international passengers simultaneously. Despite its rapid growth, MBB is yet to be granted international airport status. Currently, only Guwahati and Imphal have international connectivity in the region.
Tripura Transport and Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury had earlier revealed plans for an international flight service between Agartala and Chittagong (Bangladesh) via SpiceJet. Although political unrest in Bangladesh since August 2024 has delayed the launch, the state government remains committed to the project, having allocated INR 15 crore to AAI and deployed immigration support staff.
Officials believe that the new routes will play a crucial role in stimulating regional growth. Bagdogra serves as a key transit point for tourists heading to the Himalayas, while Silchar acts as a vital trade hub for southern Assam. Enhanced connectivity through Agartala is expected to reduce travel time, attract investment, and strengthen socio-cultural ties within the Northeast.
With these developments, Tripura’s MBB Airport is poised to become a pivotal aviation hub — one that not only connects the state more closely with its neighbours but also carries forward its rich historical legacy into a new era of regional progress.
(With inputs from various sources.)
1. What are the new flight routes from Agartala?
Agartala now has new direct flights to Bagdogra (operated by Air India Express). Meanwhile, IndiGo will resume its Agartala–Silchar service on October 28.
2. When will the Agartala–Silchar flight begin?
The IndiGo Agartala–Silchar route is set to resume operations on October 28, 2025, after nearly three decades.
3. How many destinations is Agartala now connected to?
With new additions, Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport connects directly to ten destinations across India.
4. What makes the Bagdogra route significant?
Bagdogra serves as a major gateway to Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Sikkim, boosting tourism between the Northeast and the Himalayan region.
5. Will Agartala get international flight services soon?
Yes. Plans for an Agartala–Chittagong international route are underway, though temporarily delayed due to political unrest in Bangladesh.
