Newz Desk, Durgapur: Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation Ltd (STDC) has announced a substantial reduction in helicopter fares on the Gangtok–Bagdogra sector. The revised tariff—effective immediately—brings the one-way fare down to ₹3,100 from the earlier ₹4,500, marking a significant ₹1,400 reduction.
Officials believe the revised fare structure will make air travel between the state capital and Bagdogra more accessible and attractive, especially for high-end tourists. The STDC currently operates two round trips daily on the route using a 20-seater MI-172 helicopter, with each one-way journey taking around 45 minutes.
Alongside the fare cut, the corporation has also introduced new baggage rules. Passengers can now carry up to 7kg of luggage free of cost. Excess baggage between 8kg and 15kg will be charged at ₹50 per kg, while baggage above 15kg will attract a fee of ₹500 per kg, depending on cargo space availability.
The STDC has clarified that fares for Gangtok helicopter joyrides and charter flights will remain unchanged. As per the corporation’s website, a 20-minute joyride costs ₹3,000 per person, whereas chartered flights are priced at ₹6,000 per flying minute.
Medical evacuation flights, too, have seen a notable price correction. The fare for medical flights between Gangtok and Bagdogra has been reduced from ₹1.12 lakh to ₹77,500, aligning with the revised passenger tariff. All units have been instructed to implement the new rates immediately.
Tourism stakeholders have welcomed the decision. Samrat Sanyal, general secretary of the Himalayan Hospitality and Tourism Development Network (HHTDN), said the move would bolster premium tourism in the state. “The fare reduction will certainly help boost luxury tourism. However, we also urge the tourism department to focus on improving connectivity to North Sikkim, which remains a critical concern,” he said.
North Sikkim, one of the region’s most sought-after destinations, continues to face connectivity challenges following the devastating glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) of October 2023. The disaster severely damaged road networks, affecting tourist movement and slowing the recovery of the sector.
Tourism officials hope that the revised tariff structure, combined with efforts to restore infrastructure, will help revive Sikkim’s tourism landscape in the coming months.
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