When And Where Did The First Airplane Land In Assam?

The history of aviation in Assam dates back to the early 20th century, marking a remarkable milestone for the Northeast. The first airplane to land in Assam landed in 1928. It was an Avro 594 Avian III, piloted by Bernard Leete, and landed at the Jorhat Gymkhana. This historic landing was facilitated by A.C. Tungstel, the then director of Toclai Tea Research, who requested the flight to transport his ailing wife to Calcutta for treatment.
The flight was part of a larger journey by Leete and his fellow aviator, T.N. Stack, who were the first to fly from England (London) to Karachi in 1927. They completed a 5,540-mile journey in two DH.60 Moth planes. Today, Assam is well-connected by air, with Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati serving as the gateway to Northeast India. The first landing in 1928 remains a historic event symbolizing progress and connectivity.