Himachal’s Skies Fall Silent: UDAN Flights Halted at Shimla, Kullu and Dharamshala
Air travel in Himachal Pradesh has hit fresh turbulence. The Union government has confirmed in the Rajya Sabha that flights under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme have been suspended at three of the state’s most important airports—Shimla, Kullu-Manali (Bhuntar) and Dharamshala (Gaggal).
Why the Flights Stopped
According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the shutdown is the result of multiple challenges:
- Commercial non-viability: Airlines struggled to fill seats on these routes.
- Operational constraints: Difficult terrain and unpredictable weather made flying risky and costly.
- Infrastructure limitations: Short runways and limited aircraft capacity restricted operations.
- Airline decisions: Carriers pulled out, citing high costs and low returns.
Shimla’s Costly Struggle
Shimla airport, often plagued by runway and load restrictions, has already seen over ₹116 crore spent under UDAN. Yet, despite the investment, operations have now ground to a halt.
Tourism Hit Hard
The suspension is a blow to Kullu-Manali and Dharamshala airports, both vital gateways for tourism in Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti and Kangra districts. With mountain passes often blocked in winter, air connectivity is more than convenience—it’s a lifeline for the local economy.
Not Just Himachal
Himachal joins states like Punjab, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Karnataka, where UDAN-revived airports have temporarily gone silent. Nationally, 15 airports—including Ludhiana, Rourkela, Bhavnagar, Pakyong and Kushinagar—currently have no scheduled flights.
UDAN’s Bigger Picture
Despite these setbacks, the government points to UDAN’s overall success:
- 651 routes connected
- 93 airports brought into the network
- 15 heliports and 2 water aerodromes added
What’s Next
The Ministry says reactivation of Himachal’s airports will depend on airline interest, financial feasibility, and overcoming the operational hurdles unique to the region. Until then, the suspension adds pressure on the state’s tourism sector, leaving its skies unusually quiet.
