Flights suspended inder UDAN scheme at Shimla, Kullu-Manali and Dharamshala airports; Centre cites Operational and Commercial constraints
Shimla, Dec 2,
The Union government has confirmed in the Rajya Sabha that flight operations under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme have been suspended at three key airports of Himachal Pradesh—Shimla, Kullu-Manali (Bhuntar) and Dharamshala (Gaggal). The disclosure was made by Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol in a written reply, placing all three high-altitude airports among the 15 UDAN-revived airstrips across the country that currently have no scheduled services.
According to the Ministry, the suspension stems from a combination of commercial non-viability, operational constraints, infrastructure limitations and airline decisions, all of which have adversely affected continuity of flights at difficult-terrain airports.
Shimla airport, which has repeatedly struggled with runway constraints and aircraft load issues, was highlighted in the annexure submitted to the House. The airstrip has seen cumulative spending of over Rs 116 crore under UDAN before operations were halted recently.
Kullu-Manali and Dharamshala airports—both critical gateways for tourism-driven economies of Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti and Kangra districts—are also listed among non-operational UDAN routes. These aerodromes face unique challenges such as weather disruptions, high operating costs for airlines, and limited aircraft capacity suited for mountainous terrain.
The reply placed Himachal Pradesh alongside other states where UDAN airports have temporarily fallen silent, including Punjab (Pathankot), Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Karnataka. Nationally, 15 airports revived under UDAN—among them Ludhiana, Rourkela, Bhavnagar, Pakyong, Kushinagar, Kalaburagi and Datia—currently have no flight operations due to “interconnected factors”.
Despite these setbacks, the government underlined the overall achievements of the UDAN scheme. As of now, 651 routes and 93 unserved and underserved airports, along with 15 heliports and two water aerodromes, have been brought into the national aviation network.
Himachal Pradesh’s airport connectivity has historically faced recurring challenges, with airlines often withdrawing services citing inadequate passenger load factors and route economics. The fresh suspension adds pressure on the state’s tourism sector, especially during the winter season when air travel becomes crucial due to blocked mountain passes.
The Ministry has stated that reactivation of these airports under UDAN will depend on airline interest, financial feasibility, and resolution of the operational constraints that continue to affect the region’s aviation infrastructure.
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