The Newz Radar
Air connectivity between the major tourist destinations of Shimla and Kullu in Himachal Pradesh has been halted for the past six months, impacting the tourism sector. In the initial week, flights operated for four days connecting Shimla and Kullu.
The direct air services between Shimla and Kullu, previously in high demand and operating at full capacity, have been discontinued. This interruption is affecting tourists who relied on direct flights between these destinations, leading to a decline in tourism business.
The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, initiated the Udaan scheme in Himachal Pradesh in 2017, facilitating direct air services between Shimla and Kullu, as well as Shimla and Dharamshala. While flights between Shimla and Dharamshala continue on a weekly basis, the service connecting Shimla and Kullu has been suspended since July, impacting tourism in both regions.
Efforts are being made to address the issue, with discussions regarding the resumption of air services between Shimla and Kullu placed before the state government. The current air services between Shimla and Dharamshala, and to Amritsar, are also experiencing low passenger numbers, prompting considerations for route adjustments to optimize travel opportunities and support the tourism industry.
