IN RE: Suspension Of Flight Operations From Pakyong Airport

Biswanath Somadder, CJ

Record of Proceedings through Video Conferencing

Based on a news article titled "SpiceJet suspends Pakyong flights for four months", which was published in an English daily newspaper, "Sikkim Express" on 2nd June, 2019, the instant suo motu Public Interest Litigation was registered. The first order which is on record, is an order dated 6th June, 2019, and thereafter, the matter has been heard from time to time for more than two years. Pleadings have been exchanged and reports have been filed by various authorities. As of now, we have been informed that flight operations have resumed at Pakyong Airport. Various reports and pleadings, however, clearly indicate that there are several issues which are required to be addressed by the stakeholders, especially, with regard to acquiring of land and setting up of proper and essential navigational equipments.

We do not intend to enlarge the scope of this suo motu Public Interest Litigation beyond the issue for which it was initiated, i.e., suspension of flight operations from Pakyong Airport. The reason is, flight operations have resumed from Pakyong Airport. We, however, dispose of this Public Interest Litigation with an observation that all stakeholders shall consider the issues which are involved, particularly, those which led to the suspension of flight operations from Pakyong Airport and address them on a priority basis so that the object of creation of Pakyong Airport is not frustrated due to those reasons.

This suo motu Public Interest Litigation stands, accordingly, disposed of.