SHIMLA: Tourism industry of Himachal Pradesh especially Shimla is set to get wings with the resumption of flight service between Shimla and Delhi from Monday, after a gap of over two years.
The new ATR-42-600 aircraft of Alliance Air would now provide daily service and be able to carry 48 passengers from Delhi to Shimla, where as the maximum strength of passengers from Shimla to Delhi flight would be 24.
The 50 percent of the seats on these flights would have a subsidized fare of Rs 2,480 only, under the 'UDAN' scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The fare for other seats would be determined by the company itself.
Chief minister Jai Ram Thakur while connecting virtually from Bagsiad village of Seraj Assembly Constituency in Mandi district, launched the regular flights by flagging off the new ATR-42-600 aircraft of Alliance Air from Shimla Airport at Jubbarhatti on Monday morning. Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, General V K Singh also participated in the program through virtual medium from Delhi.
Jai Ram Thakur said that connectivity remains a big challenge in a hilly state like Himachal Pradesh and the state government was making constant efforts to increase the air connectivity in the state. He said that due to technical reasons, flights were not able to operate at Shimla airport for over two years. He said that with the efforts of his government and the support of the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation, Alliance Air flights between Shimla and Delhi would now be operated seven days a week and this would go a long way in boosting the tourism activities in the state.
He said that various official formalities regarding the proposed International Green Field Airport at Mandi were being completed rapidly and on priority basis. He said that the sentiments of the people of Mandi were attached to this proposed airport and the state government was trying its best to turn this dream project into reality.
Union MoS for Civil Aviation, General VK Singh said that the demand for resumption of air flights between Shimla and Delhi was being made for a long time.
Federation of Himachal Hotel and Restaurant Associations, general secretary, M K Seth said that resumption of flight connectivity will boost the tourism activity in the region. He said that earlier tourists having shortage of time were not visiting Shimla due to missing flight connectivity but now these tourists will get an opportunity to visit Shimla and its surrounding areas.
