IndiGo will expand connectivity from Itanagar's Donyi Polo Airport from 10 Oct 2026, adding links to major cities and boosting Northeast access under UDAN.
Cover image: Donyi Polo Airport at Hollongi serving Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh — photo by SlowPhoton, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
IndiGo to expand Itanagar flights from 10 October 2026 from Donyi Polo Airport at Hollongi, adding connectivity to major cities and boosting the Itanagar-Guwahati link, according to the Economic Times and India Today NE on 2 September. The move adds Northeast capacity ahead of the winter schedule and strengthens Arunachal's air link to the national network.
Itanagar got scheduled jets only in late 2022 when Donyi Polo opened. An October expansion from India's largest carrier signals that demand from Arunachal, a state with limited rail, is now enough to sustain more than the current limited service.
What is planned from 10 October?
Both outlets headline the same core facts on 2 September:
- Effective date: 10 October 2026 for expanded Itanagar connectivity
- Hub: Donyi Polo Airport, Hollongi (HGI), serving Itanagar
- Focus: boost Itanagar-Guwahati connectivity plus links to major cities — Delhi and Kolkata via Guwahati are the most likely metros
- Carrier: IndiGo, already the main operator at HGI with Kolkata and Guwahati services
Exact flight numbers and weekly frequencies will appear in the DGCA winter schedule filing, but the 10 October date is already being headlined as the start of the expanded winter pattern.
Why Itanagar matters for Northeast connectivity
Donyi Polo opened on 28 November 2022 as Arunachal's first greenfield airport, built at a cost of about 645 crore rupees. Until then the nearest airport was Guwahati, more than 300 km by road. Current IndiGo service links HGI to Kolkata and Guwahati, feeding onward connections.
An expanded October pattern fits two national pushes: the UDAN regional connectivity scheme and the broader plan to build 100 new airports over 10 years that Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu outlined on 1 September. For Arunachal, more Itanagar flights cut road time for government, business and student traffic and make tourism to Ziro, Bomdila and Tawang more viable for those who fly in via Guwahati and Itanagar rather than drive from Assam.
Travellers planning Northeast trips can compare hubs in India to build 100 new airports in 10 years under UDAN and India's Ahmedabad hub plan for the contrasting hub-and-spoke model in the west, while permit rules are covered in our Arunachal and Northeast guides.
What travellers should book
If you need to be in Itanagar in October, watch for IndiGo's schedule load this week:
- Itanagar to Guwahati: the strengthened link should add daily or near-daily options, useful for connections to Delhi, Kolkata and Bangkok via Guwahati
- Itanagar to Kolkata: direct if restored, otherwise one-stop via Guwahati
- Fares: Northeast induction fares typically open 30 to 45 days ahead, so mid-September loads for 10 October should be the first decent price point
Foreign nationals should still arrange a Protected Area Permit for Arunachal through the Ministry of Home Affairs, while Indian citizens need an Inner Line Permit only for road travel beyond Itanagar, not for the flight itself.
| Airport | Code | Distance to Itanagar | Opened |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donyi Polo, Hollongi | HGI | ~15 km | 28 Nov 2022 |
| Guwahati Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi | GAU | ~320 km road | 1958 |
Frequently asked questions
When does IndiGo expand Itanagar flights?
From 10 October 2026 IndiGo plans expanded connectivity from Itanagar's Donyi Polo Airport to major cities, including a boost to the Itanagar-Guwahati link, according to the Economic Times and India Today NE on 2 September.
Which airport serves Itanagar?
Donyi Polo Airport at Hollongi, about 15 km from Itanagar, opened in November 2022. It is Arunachal Pradesh's first greenfield airport and the state's main gateway.
What routes are expected from Itanagar?
IndiGo's plan covers Itanagar to major metros via Guwahati and direct links, strengthening daily options to Kolkata, Delhi and Guwahati. Exact frequencies will show in the winter schedule filing.
Do Indians need extra permits to fly to Arunachal?
Indian citizens do not need an Inner Line Permit to fly to Itanagar, but need one to travel beyond by road in Arunachal. Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit.
