Shimla, Jan 28,
The Himachal Pradesh government has decided to provide an annual financial support of ₹31 crore to ensure the regular operation of flights on the Delhi–Shimla and Shimla–Dharamshala routes, with the objective of strengthening air connectivity and boosting tourism in the state.
A State Government spokesperson said the flights will operate throughout the week, and the financial assistance is aimed at ensuring uninterrupted and reliable air services on these strategically important routes.
The spokesperson said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the state government has accorded top priority to the tourism sector, recognising its role in strengthening the state’s economy and generating employment and self-employment opportunities for the youth.
According to the spokesperson, improved and dependable air services will provide a significant impetus to tourism while also contributing to the state’s overall economic development. “Regular flight operations will reduce travel time and ensure convenient and faster connectivity for tourists, business travellers and the general public,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson further said that reliable air connectivity to Shimla and Dharamshala would also strengthen administrative functioning. “Apart from facilitating official travel, these services will be crucial for quick medical evacuation, and will help ensure timely response during emergencies and natural disasters,” the spokesperson added.
Describing the initiative as a strategic step, the spokesperson said that sustained air services would accelerate long-term socio-economic development. “Subsidy-based regional air connectivity will benefit daily commuters, business travellers and tourists alike,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson also highlighted that apart from the state’s three operational airports, Himachal Pradesh has several helipads, and heliports are being developed at district headquarters and major tourist destinations.
“Recently, helicopter services have been launched from the Sanjouli heliport to Chandigarh and Reckong Peo, enabling easier access to key destinations,” the spokesperson said. He added that helicopter services on the Sanjouli–Rampur–Reckong Peo and Sanjouli–Manali (Sase heliport) routes will also be started soon.
According to the spokesperson, proposals seeking approval of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for these air routes have already been submitted to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
According to reports from late December, Alliance Air had suspended flights on the Delhi-Shimla, Shimla-Dharamshala and Shimla-Amritsar routes, and services remained halted because the MoU with the Himachal government had expired and not been renewed. Flights were initially stopped through the festive season (Christmas and New Year) and extended to mid-January 2026 due to the lack of an agreement and viability gap funding arrangement, with indications that services would likely not be restored soon after a new pact formalised.
This aligns with parliamentary remarks in mid-December noting that key UDAN regional connectivity flights, including on the Delhi–Shimla–Dharamshala corridor, had been discontinued after September 25, 2025 because the airline found continued operations commercially unviable without support
Officials have earlier maintained that without continued government support, airlines have been reluctant to operate these routes on a regular basis. The present decision to provide assured annual financial assistance is being viewed as an effort to ensure operational stability and continuity of services, while addressing long-standing concerns over flight cancellations and irregular schedules in the hill state.
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The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
