Munish Sood
MANDI: The scenic valleys of Kullu-Manali and Lahaul are witnessing a remarkable surge in tourist footfall this summer, thanks to the growing popularity of air travel to the region. Tourists who once hesitated to endure the 10 to 15-hour road journey from cities like Delhi, Jaipur and Dehradun are now choosing the far more convenient 75 to 120-minute flights, a shift that has significantly boosted regional tourism.
The Bhuntar airport near Kullu is seeing record demand, with flights currently operating at 80 to 85% occupancy. According to Siddharth Kadam, Director of Bhuntar Airport, two daily flights are currently landing at the airport, connecting it with Delhi, Jaipur and Dehradun via ATR 52 and ATR 72 aircraft.
Weekly, eight flights operate from Delhi and Amritsar, while six flights arrive from Jaipur and Dehradun.
“Since the expansion of air services in 2024 to cities beyond Delhi, we’ve seen a noticeable increase in high-profile and premium travellers visiting the region,” Kadam noted.
Luxury tourism on the rise
Prominent hotelier Nakul Khullar, who owns a five-star property in Manali, said the improved air connectivity has brought a new wave of visitors who previously avoided the destination due to the exhaustive road journey.
“Now, in just over an hour, tourists can reach the lap of the Himalayas. The air route has made Kullu-Manali far more accessible, especially for elite travellers,” he said.
Industry voices support expansion
Tourism entrepreneurs Akash Abrol, Gajinder Thakur, Vipin Kumar and Ajay Singla echoed similar sentiments, emphasising that air travel is becoming the backbone of tourism development in Himachal Pradesh.
“If the government expands air connectivity to more cities, it will open new doors for the state’s tourism industry,” they said.
Manish Kumar, Manager at Alliance Air, confirmed that nearly all flights to and from Bhuntar are fully booked in advance, showcasing growing demand for this mountain getaway.
Encouraging trends from other Himachal airports
Encouraging signs are also coming from Shimla and Dharamshala airports, where daily flights are reportedly running at full capacity. “There’s a visible increase in tourist inflow this year,” a Shimla airport official told The Newz Radar.
Gajinder Thakur, president of the Himachal Pradesh Hotel and Restaurant Association, urged the government to continue expanding air services across the state.
“Tourists want comfort and convenience. Better air connectivity directly contributes to tourism growth and economic uplift in the hills,” he stated.
