TNR News Network
Shimla:
Air connectivity in Himachal Pradesh is set to get a major boost, with the Delhi-Shimla and Shimla-Dharamshala flight services expected to resume later this month under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme.
The state government has initiated the process to renew its memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Alliance Air, which earlier operated regular flights between the three destinations. The resumption aims to provide greater convenience to tourists and improve inter-district connectivity in the hill state.
Alliance Air MoU renewal underway
A meeting chaired by Tourism and Civil Aviation Secretary Devesh Kumar was held at the state secretariat to review the steps needed for restarting the flight services. Officials from Alliance Air, Directorate of Tourism and Civil Aviation Department participated in the discussion.
Tourism officials said the MoU with Alliance Air, which expired in September, is being renewed for another three-year period. Once the formalities are completed, 48-seater ATR-42/600 aircraft will operate daily between Delhi, Shimla and Dharamshala.
Currently, the Delhi-Shimla flight has a seating capacity of 23 passengers from Shimla to Delhi and 26 on the Delhi-Shimla route. Subsidies for specific seats will continue under the state’s tourism promotion plan.
Service suspended since November 1
Alliance Air had earlier suspended operations on November 1, following the expiry of its agreement with the state government. The airline has now submitted a proposal to resume operations after the renewal of the MoU.
Director of Tourism and Civil Aviation Vivek Bhatia said, “The process of signing the MoU with Alliance Air is almost complete. Both Delhi-Shimla and Shimla-Dharamshala services are expected to restart this month.”
Chief Minister to take up UDAN expansion with Centre
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is expected to soon raise the issue of extending the UDAN scheme and state-level air connectivity subsidies with Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, officials confirmed. The Chief Minister is also likely to request additional central assistance for operational viability of hill flights affected by weather and low passenger loads.
The resumption of flights is expected to benefit both residents and tourists, providing a quicker link between Himachal’s two major destinations — Shimla and Dharamshala — and restoring regular air access from Delhi.
Officials said that the state government is keen to maintain continuous air connectivity through Alliance Air, as the Jubbarhatti Airport near Shimla often faces weather-related challenges. The renewed service will be operated with appropriate safety and scheduling adjustments.
