In a move set to redefine the Northeast’s aviation landscape, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has announced that the Central Government has officially awarded the contract for the long-awaited runway expansion at Shillong (Umroi) Airport. The work order, issued on April 1, 2026, marks the beginning of a 15-month transformation that will finally allow narrow-body jets like the Airbus A320 to touch down in the heart of the Khasi Hills.
The ₹500 crore project, awarded to KCC Buildcon Pvt Ltd, includes a runway extension to 2,400 meters and a significant terminal upgrade to 10,500 square meters. For decades, Umroi’s limited capacity forced travelers into a grueling three-hour road journey from Guwahati. By 2027, direct flights from Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai are expected to become a reality.
Addressing stakeholders at the Empowerment of Tourism Champions event, CM Sangma described the project as a “game-changer.” This infrastructure push is a critical pillar of Meghalaya’s broader tourism ecosystem, which recorded nearly 18 lakh arrivals in 2025. Combined with the “Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Homestay Mission”—targeting 3,000 new units by 2028—the airport expansion is designed to turn the state from a transit stop into a global destination.
