Photo used for indicative purpose only. Source Internet
Wait for Shimla- Amritsar international airport flight extends till Mid Nov
Shimla, Nov 1
The wait for the flight connecting Shimla with the Amritsar international airport has extended a bit longer, as the announcement by the Himachal Pradesh’s Chief Minister, Sukhwinder Sukhu, may take some more time to become a reality.
Under the UDAN scheme, CM Sukhu had announced the initiation of flights between Amritsar and both Kullu and Shimla in late September. While the flight to Kullu successfully took off on October 1, the Shimla route seems to have been lingering.
“November 1 was tentative, as we will announce the flight date soon,” stated a top official of Alliance Air. He also expressed hope that it may get started after festive season around 15th of November.
The initial plan entailed running flights between Shimla and Amritsar three days a week, with a promised discount of up to 50% on fares to promote tourism. As per information Alliance Air was awarded the contract for the Amritsar-Shimla route three months prior to the planned launch date.
Jubbarhatti Airport Director, Dhanpal, has confirmed that no communication has been received from Alliance Air regarding the Amritsar-Shimla route, indicating that the flight will not be operational as scheduled. Even the Director of Himachal Tourism Department, Amit Kashyap, has similarly expressed a lack of information regarding the Amritsar-Shimla flight.
Noteworthy, that additionally, Spice Jet was also granted awards for launching flights from Jaipur to Shimla, Jammu to Shimla, and Dehradun to Shimla, but these routes also remain untouched.
A media report blamed the negligence of Tourism and Aviation Department, Airport Authority and Alliance Air officials for not starting the flight with effect from today. Interestingly, Chief Minister Sukhu is currently hospitalized at AIIMS Delhi due to illness, and the relevant officials also seemed to have overlooked the importance of this announcement during his absence.
About the Author
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.
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