GOVERNMENT OF MANIPUR

CHIEF MINISTER’S SECRETARIAT: IMPHAL

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PRESS RELEASE

KBZ AIRLINES BEGINS IMPHAL-MANDALAY FLIGHT SERVICE

Imphal, November 23, 2019 (DIPR):In a historic move to boost air connectivity between Myanmar and India, Myanmar’s private carrier Air KBZ started its chartered flight service between Mandalay and Imphal today. The inaugural flight which departed from Mandalay landed at the BirTikendrajit International Airportat around 11:30 a.m. The maiden flight was welcomed with the traditional water cannon salute.

Minister for Health and Family Welfare Shri L. Jayantakumar Singh, Minister for CAF&PD Shri KaramShyam, Minister for Education Shri Th. Radheshyam, Chairman of Tourism Corporation Manipur LimitedDr.SapamRanjan, Chief Secretary Dr. J. Suresh Babu, Principal Secretary Shri P. Vaiphei, Director of Transport Department Smt. MercinaPanmei and others received the passengers with traditional lengyan(shawl).

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Education Shri Th. Radheshyam said that launching of such chartered flight service would enhance the air connectivity with neighbouring countries especially with Myanmar. The chartered flight will be operational thrice a week, he added. The Minister further maintained that the State government is persuading the Ministry of Civil Aviation for granting regular Imphal-Mandalay flight service.

Shri Th. Radheshyam informed that the first Air KBZ flight carried around 72 passengers from Myanmar and the return flight will depart Imphal with 48 passengers including 5 officials. He appealed to the people of Manipur to support such noble initiative from the Government of Manipur.

It may be mentioned that Chief Minister Shri N. Biren Singh earlier announced that the Imphal-Mandalay flight service would be availablefrom BirTikendrajit International Airport in Imphal from23rdNovember 2019 onwards.