"Agreement between Pawan Hans and the Government of West Bengal has been reached," Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said here today.
An 18 to 24 seater aircraft would be used for the inaugural service between Kolkata and Cooch Behar via Siliguri in North Bengal, Banerjee said.
The service would help in promoting tourism and trade in the North Bengal districts, she said.
Secretariat sources said that the service might begin within two months.
Airports at Malda and Balurghat were also being repaired and refurbished and the state hoped that air services from them would become operational within six months, the sources said.
The state would underwrite eight seats, if not sold, for three months, following which the arrangement would be reviewed, the sources said.
Sea plane services would also be launched to Sunderbans, Digha and Farakka for promoting tourism, the sources said.
