A new helicopter service was launched between Gangtok and Bagdogra on Wednesday.

Sikkim chief minister P.S. Tamang inaugurated the service at Burtuk helipad near Gangtok. The chopper is a 26-seater (24 passengers and two crew members) MI 172.

So far, similar services have been available in Sikkim in smaller helicopters of Pawan Hans.

“It is a multi-engine helicopter and has more seats. The service will help in the movement of residents of Sikkim as it will cut down travel time to Siliguri. Tourists who wish to visit Sikkim can avail the service,” said a source in the Sikkim government.

It takes around three-and-a-half hours for the travel between Siliguri and Gangtok, which are 120km apart, by road.

The chopper, sources said, can also be used for joy rides for tourists interested in watching the aerial view of Sikkim.

Officials of the state tourism and civil aviation ministry said the infrastructure at the Burtuk helipad had been expanded for the new service. “A trial run was conducted in November 2021 and today, the service was launched,” said an official.

The state government, sources said, is also working on the resumption of flights from the Pakyong airport, which is on the outskirts of Gangtok. Earlier, commercial flights had started from the airport but the services stopped because of operational issues.