Spicejet on Wednesday launched 14 new cargo flights to and from the northeast using its Bombardier Q400 freighters.

This has been launched with the aim to boost the growth of trade in the northeast and also help Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

The dedicated cargo flights will help transport fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, perishables, fish seeds, fresh fish, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, express cargo and other general cargo, besides improving logistics and connectivity.

Spicejet will operate daily cargo flights on Kolkata-Guwahati, Guwahati-Kolkata, Kolkata-Imphal and Imphal-Kolkata sectors.

SpiceJet has also introduced cargo flights between Kolkata and Guwahati via Aizawl and Dimapur which will operate twice-a-week.

The airline will also operate cargo flights on the Kolkata-Agartala and Agartala-Guwahati sectors thrice-a-week and twice-a-week on Kolkata-Silchar and Silchar-Guwahati routes.

Speaking in a programme held on the occasion in a city hotel, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that the initiative would immensely help and boost local business, trade, MSMEs and farmers.

"Farmers from the region will now be able to transport their fresh farm produce across the country and internationally," Sonowal said.

He also urged local businesses, traders, entrepreneurs to make use of this opportunity that provides the farmers access to markets not only within India but across the globe.

The Centre has been taking pro-active steps for giving a new boost to development in the northeast, Sonowal said.

He further added that the new cargo service would help in the efforts to fulfil the Centre's vision of transforming northeast as the growth engine of the country.

The Chief Minister further said that there are over 37 lakh farmer families in Assam who are dedicating themselves to become economically self-sufficient besides significantly contributing to the State’s economy.

He observed that the farmers’ dream of doubling their income will get a renewed thrust with the launch of the cargo service.