Viewpoints · Pakyong
Watching the ridge-top runway at Pakyong
Stop on the road above Pakyong Airport to see its runway laid along a reshaped ridge, with valleys dropping away on both sides. If a flight is due, you may see it land; if not, the engineering is still worth a look.
Building an airport in Sikkim meant finding flat land in a state that has very little of it. The answer at Pakyong was to cut and fill a ridge at about 1,400 m until it could carry a runway, held up by a reinforced earth wall reported to be among the tallest in the world. The Airports Authority of India took close to a decade over it, and the airport opened on 24 September 2018. From the roads above, the strip looks narrow and exposed, with green valleys falling away on both sides.
Most travellers see it on the drive between Gangtok and Rongli or Aritar. Ask your driver to stop at a safe pull-in above the airport where locals stop too. You can see the full length of the runway, the terminal and the country beyond. Do not stop on bends, do not fly drones anywhere near the airport, and follow any instructions from security staff. Photography of airport installations may be restricted; when in doubt, ask.
Whether a plane lands while you watch depends on the schedule, which has been irregular since 2018. Morning is the likeliest time, because cloud often closes in over the ridge later in the day. Even with no flight, a quarter of an hour here explains why flying into Sikkim has been so hard, and why so many trips still begin at Bagdogra.
Cost: Free
Questions people ask
Good to know
Are flights operating to Pakyong Airport now?
Flights to Pakyong have been irregular since the airport opened in 2018, with long suspensions due to weather, runway limits and airline decisions. Some routes have restarted from time to time. Check current status with airlines before you travel, and keep Bagdogra as your back-up airport.
Can we visit Pakyong Airport without a flight?
Non-passengers usually cannot enter the terminal, but you can see the runway from the public roads above the airport. Stop only at safe pull-ins, do not fly drones, and follow security staff instructions. Photography of airport installations may be restricted.
How far is Pakyong Airport from Gangtok?
Pakyong Airport is about 31 km from Gangtok by road, usually 1–1.5 hours depending on traffic at Ranipool. A reserved taxi costs about ₹1,500–2,500. Shared jeeps run to Pakyong town, from where a short local taxi reaches the terminal.
Also in Pakyong
More things to do
Culture and history · 2–3 hoursA walk through Pakyong's organic farm terracesPakyong · Free · tip a local guide ₹300–500
Food · 30–45 minutesSel roti and tea in Pakyong bazaarPakyong · ₹50–150 pp
Adventure · 1–1.5 hours by carThe ridge road from Pakyong down to RorathangPakyong · Part of your car hire