Gangtok, Oct. 1 -- The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has begun pre-feasibility studies at three proposed sites at Ranka, Martam and Sadam in Sikkim for possible development of Greenfield airports, following a proposal from the state government.

The Tourism and Civil Aviation Department said on Wednesday that a multi-disciplinary technical team of the AAI is assessing the suitability of the three locations from aviation, operational, engineering and other technical perspectives.

"The exercise is an important initial step towards assessing the feasibility of strengthening air connectivity in Sikkim," Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Tshering T. Bhutia said.

The study is being undertaken under the Greenfield Airports Policy, 2008, al...