Editing Sikkim (section)

=== Air ===
[[File:Pakyongsikkim.jpg|thumb|right|Runway at [[Pakyong Airport]], is the first [[Greenfield project|greenfield]] airport to be constructed in the [[Northeast India]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/sikkims-first-ever-airport-all-set-to-fly-5363202/|title=Sikkim's Pakyong airport stuns before it flies|date=24 September 2018}}</ref>]]
[[File:Riverteesta.jpg|thumb|[[Teesta River]] is considered the state's key waterway.]]
Sikkim did not have any operational [[airport]] for a long time because of its rough terrain. However, in October 2018, [[Pakyong Airport]], the state's first airport, located in [[Pakyong|Pakyong Town]] at a distance of {{convert|30|km|abbr=on}} from Gangtok, became operational after a four-year delay.<ref>[http://zeenews.india.com/news/north-east/sikkim-s-first-airport-to-be-ready-by-2014_876027.html "Sikkim's first airport to be ready by 2014"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140712200905/http://zeenews.india.com/news/north-east/sikkim-s-first-airport-to-be-ready-by-2014_876027.html |date=12 July 2014}}. Zee News. 12 September 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2014.</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=First commercial flight lands at Pakyong |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/first-commercial-flight-lands-at-pakyong/articleshow/66075688.cms |work=The Economic Times |agency=Press Trust of India |date=4 October 2018 |access-date=4 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005030925/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/first-commercial-flight-lands-at-pakyong/articleshow/66075688.cms |archive-date=5 October 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> It has been constructed by the [[Airports Authority of India]] on 200 acres of land. At an altitude of {{convert|4700|ft|m}} above sea level, it is one of the five highest airports in India.<ref>[http://www.punjlloydgroup.com/landmark-projects-gallery/sikkims-greenfield-airport "Sikkim's Greenfield Airport"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140619033342/http://www.punjlloydgroup.com/landmark-projects-gallery/sikkims-greenfield-airport |date=19 June 2014 }}. Punj Lloyd Group. Retrieved 18 December 2014.</ref><ref>[http://www.issmge.org/capg/files/Maccaferri-New_Airport_Sikkim.pdf "Sikkim's New Airport" (PDF)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514065851/http://www.issmge.org/capg/files/Maccaferri-New_Airport_Sikkim.pdf |date=14 May 2014 }} Maccaferri Environmental Solutions Pvt. Ltd., India. Retrieved 18 December 2014.</ref> The airport is capable of operating [[ATR (aircraft manufacturer)|ATR]] aircraft.<ref>{{Cite news | url = http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090302/jsp/siliguri/story_10609938.jsp | title = Patel word on speedy airport completion—Sikkim hopes for spurt in tourist inflow | work = The Telegraph | location = Kolkata | date = 2 March 2009 | access-date = 14 June 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110526142739/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090302/jsp/siliguri/story_10609938.jsp | archive-date = 26 May 2011 | url-status = dead | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

Before October 2018, the closest operational airport to Sikkim was [[Bagdogra Airport]] near [[Siliguri]] in northern [[West Bengal]]. The airport is located about {{convert|124|km|mi|abbr=on}} from [[Gangtok]], and frequent buses connect the two.<ref>[http://sikkimtourism.gov.in/Webforms/General/Transport.aspx "How to reach Sikkim"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701110740/http://sikkimtourism.gov.in/Webforms/General/Transport.aspx |date=1 July 2014}} Government of Sikkim. Retrieved 18 December 2014.</ref> A daily [[helicopter]] service run by the Sikkim Helicopter Service connects Gangtok to Bagdogra; the flight is thirty minutes long, operates only once a day, and can carry four people.<ref name="Thirty years">{{Cite web | url = http://sikkimipr.org/IPR/statehood/statehood_nutshell.htm | title = 30 Years of Statehood in a Nutshell | access-date =12 October 2006 | date = 24 November 2005 | publisher = Department of Information and Public Relations, Government of Sikkim | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060714083055/http://sikkimipr.org/IPR/statehood/statehood_nutshell.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> | archive-date = 14 July 2006 }}</ref> The Gangtok [[helipad]] is the only civilian helipad in the state.