IndiGo starts Guwahati-Itanagar flights; service to go daily from October 25
Representative image: TobiasRehbein / Pixabay
IndiGo began Guwahati-Itanagar flights on 10 October 2026, five days a week, and will fly the route daily from 25 October under its winter schedule.
What Happened
IndiGo began a direct flight service between Guwahati and Itanagar on Saturday, 10 October 2026, linking Assam's main airport with Donyi Polo Airport at Hollongi, which serves Arunachal Pradesh's capital. The airline is running the route five days a week, on Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, until 24 October, and plans to make it daily from 25 October, when its winter schedule begins. IndiGo said the route is meant to meet long-standing demand from travellers for easier connections, and that passengers can connect onward via Guwahati to cities including Chennai, Bengaluru, Kochi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Jaipur and Lucknow.
Key Facts
- Route: Guwahati to Itanagar (Donyi Polo Airport, Hollongi) and back, operated by IndiGo.
- Start date: Saturday, 10 October 2026.
- Frequency: five days a week until 24 October; daily from 25 October under the winter schedule.
- Timings until 24 October, as reported: departs Guwahati 11:45 am, arrives Itanagar 12:40 pm; departs Itanagar 1:10 pm, arrives Guwahati 2:05 pm.
- From 25 October, reports say the timings move later in the day; passengers should check the airline's website before booking.
- Onward connections named by the airline: Chennai, Bengaluru, Kochi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Jaipur and Lucknow.
- Donyi Polo Airport is located at Hollongi in Papum Pare district, about 14 km from Itanagar.
Why It Matters
Arunachal Pradesh is one of India's most scenic but least accessible states. Road journeys from Guwahati to Itanagar take many hours through hilly terrain, and trains are limited. A flight of under an hour cuts travel time sharply for officials, business travellers, students and families, and makes short trips practical.
For tourism, Guwahati is the gateway to the North-East, with flights to most major Indian cities. A direct link onward to Itanagar means a visitor from Bengaluru or Mumbai can reach Arunachal's capital the same day with one connection. That matters for a state trying to grow tourism around its monasteries, tribal festivals, rivers and mountain landscapes, from Ziro and Tawang to the valleys around Pasighat. Better air access also helps in the festive and winter seasons, when visitor numbers rise.
Regional air links of this kind are part of a wider push to bring smaller airports in the North-East into the national network. Daily operation from 25 October will be a test of demand: if seats fill, airlines may add more frequencies or new routes from Itanagar; if not, services can be cut back, as has happened on some regional routes in the past.
For travellers, the practical point is simple: until 24 October there are no flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and from 25 October the service runs every day at revised times. Visitors to Arunachal Pradesh should also check the state's entry permit rules before travelling.
| Period | Frequency | Guwahati departure |
|---|---|---|
| 10 to 24 October 2026 | Five days a week | 11:45 am (as reported) |
| From 25 October 2026 | Daily | Later in the day under winter schedule |
Impact
Short-term: Travellers between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh gain a fast option for festive-season trips, and tour operators can offer same-day connections from major cities via Guwahati.
Long-term: Steady demand could lead to more flights and routes from Donyi Polo Airport, supporting tourism, trade and access to services in Arunachal Pradesh.
Who is affected: Residents of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, government and business travellers, students, tourists planning North-East trips, and the state's tourism and hospitality businesses.
Key Takeaway
IndiGo started Guwahati-Itanagar flights on 10 October 2026, five days a week, and will run them daily from 25 October, cutting a long road journey to under an hour.
Questions and Answers
When did the Guwahati-Itanagar flight start?
IndiGo began the service on Saturday, 10 October 2026, flying between Guwahati and Donyi Polo Airport at Hollongi near Itanagar.
How often does the flight operate?
Until 24 October it runs on Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. From 25 October it becomes daily under the airline's winter schedule.
How long is the flight?
Under the initial schedule, the flight leaves Guwahati at 11:45 am and reaches Itanagar at 12:40 pm, about 55 minutes.
Can I connect to other cities through Guwahati?
Yes. IndiGo said passengers can connect onward to cities including Chennai, Bengaluru, Kochi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Jaipur and Lucknow.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
Sourced and fact-checked by the Peepals Global Editorial Team
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