The airport has been upgraded with six check-in counters, a complete security hold area, and separate blocks have been created for arrivals and departures, and a modern medical inspection room.

Mohan said the expansion work of the airport has started with the construction of a perimeter wall. The work was earlier delayed due to land acquisition. “We have acquired 224.16 acres of land for expansion of the airport to facilitate landing of bigger aircrafts. The work has started flowing now,” Mohan said.

The new runway will be lengthened to 7,500 feet from the present runway of 6,000 feet and will be realigned with the existing runway. It will have the strength of PCN 54 (Pavement Classification Number), which means that it can withstand the load and speed of bigger aircraft such as the Airbus 300, he said.

Meghalaya Transport Minister Abu Taher Mondal said the state government has paid around Rs.50 crore in compensation to about 250 land owners for the expansion of the airport to provide better connectivity for the state with the rest of the country.