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Indian Air Force Makes History: Successfully Lands AN-32 Aircraft At Sikkim’s Pakyong Airstrip
Swarajya Staff
Jan 18, 2019, 11:05 AM | Updated 11:05 AM IST
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The Indian Air Force in a historic moment successfully landed its AN-32 aircraft at Sikkim’s Pakyong airfield. The first such landing by an AN-32 class aircraft took place on Wednesday (16 January).
#MakingHistory: An AN-32 aircraft of 43 Sqn carried out a successful landing at #Pakyong airfield in Sikkim on 16 Jan 19. This is the first landing by an AN-32 class of aircraft at this airfield, which is one of the highest airfields in India. The team was led by Wg Cdr SK Singh. pic.twitter.com/RN8lkZ2hnt
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) January 17, 2019
As reported by The Tribune, the flight crew was led by Wing Commander S K Singh. Earlier, the Indian Air Force had landed its Dornier aircraft at the airport in 2018.
The Indian Air Force has also made history on 14 January by landing a C-130J aircraft in Arunachal’s Tezu airfield.
At a height of 4,500 feet above sea level, the Pakyong airport is dubbed as one of the highest in India in terms of altitude. The airport also boasts of breathtaking views and was called an engineering masterpiece by the World Economic Forum.
The airport opened up for commercial operations in October last year with a flight to Guwahati.
Having a 1.7-km-long runway, the airport approved in 2008, was slated to be completed by 2012, but due to difficult terrain, landslides and local factors was, it was delayed till 2018.
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