Himachal High Court Questions Flight Gaps at State Airports

In a state where winding mountain roads often stretch journeys into day-long affairs, the skies offer a much-needed shortcut. But for Himachal Pradesh, even that lifeline seems to be missing — and the High Court has taken notice.

This week, the Himachal Pradesh High Court raised serious concerns over the lack of regular flights from the state’s three airports: Jubbarhatti (Shimla), Bhuntar (Kullu), and Gaggal (Kangra). Acting on a public interest litigation, the court has asked both the state and central governments to explain why these airports remain underutilized despite having the infrastructure in place.

The bench, led by Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Jia Lal Bhardwaj, has also directed the Ministry of Civil Aviation to respond through its Secretary. The state government, too, has been asked to submit a status report detailing what steps it has taken to ensure regular flight operations.

During the hearing, the court was informed that despite the presence of three functional airports, flight frequency remains dismally low — often just a single, irregular flight from Shimla or Kullu. For a mountainous state like Himachal, where road travel can be long and arduous, this lack of air connectivity is more than an inconvenience — it’s a barrier to growth.

The court emphasized that tourism is the backbone of Himachal’s economy, and poor air connectivity is hurting the sector. A simple comparison drives the point home: a flight from Delhi to Shimla takes under an hour, while the same journey by road can stretch to 7–8 hours. Regular, larger flights could dramatically boost tourism and ease travel for locals and visitors alike.

The court’s message is clear: Himachal’s skies need to open up. With the infrastructure already in place, what’s missing is the will — and coordination — to make these airports truly take off.