New Delhi : Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma met with the Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, on July 21, 2026, seeking support from the Central Government to fast-track airport projects aimed at boosting air connectivity across Meghalaya. For every project, the State Government has completed its part, but progress cannot move forward without clearances and decisions from the Ministry. The top priority is the expansion of Shillong Airport at Umroi.
The State has handed over 22 acres of land to the Airports Authority of India (AAI), environmental clearances have been obtained, and AAI has awarded the contract for the runway expansion. Once completed, the longer runway will allow larger aircraft like the A320 to operate, connecting the state to major cities and reducing dependence on long road journeys from Guwahati. The Chief Minister urged the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to grant operational approvals so work can begin and obstacles in the flight path can be cleared.
The State has funded the removal of these obstacles at its own expense, including the ₹150 crore relocation of Umden Mission village, an undertaking committed before the High Court of Meghalaya.For the Garo Hills region, the State urged AAI to take over the management of Baljek Airport in Tura as a fully-fledged AAI airport, offering to bear the project cost of ₹63.67 crore.It was proposed to start operations at this airport with 19-seater aircraft before expanding to ATR-72 and A320 planes.
The Chief Minister sought funding under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN), with funds to be reimbursed upon approval of the project.Funding has already been sanctioned for two heliports in Shillong and Tura, where work is currently underway. The State has identified nine additional sites across district headquarters and tourist spots, seeking financial assistance for at least two of them under RCS-UDAN, alongside feasibility studies for all proposed projects.
Following a seaplane demonstration held at Umiam Lake in November 2024, the State also requested funding for a water aerodrome at Umiam under RCS-UDAN and the preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR), proposing Umiam as one of five aerodromes entrusted to AAI for execution.