Kangra airport to soon have new flight connectivity routes

New flight services from Kangra Airport are likely to be introduced, with a proposal for Dharamshala-Jammu air connectivity and a connecting flight from Jammu to Srinagar discussed at a meeting of the Kangra Airport Advisory Committee.

The meeting, chaired by Lok Sabha MP Dr Rajeev Bhardwaj, reviewed airport operations, passenger facilities, the action-taken report on decisions from the previous meetings, and plans for further expansion and modernisation.

Bhardwaj said six flights currently arrive at Kangra Airport and six depart. Discussions were held with airline representatives on introducing additional services.

He said Kangra Airport has the advantage of being an all-weather airport, offering significant scope to expand air connectivity in Himachal Pradesh. Airlines raised certain operational issues, which he said he would take up for resolution at the appropriate level.

On Dharamshala-Srinagar connectivity, Bhardwaj said airlines had indicated potential passenger demand on the route. However, direct ATR operations to Srinagar could face challenges due to geographical conditions beyond Jammu.

As an alternative, the meeting discussed an ATR service between Dharamshala and Jammu, followed by a connecting flight from Jammu to Srinagar.

Bhardwaj said runway repair work at Kangra Airport was currently underway. Once the work is complete, the airline has assured it will seriously consider the proposed connectivity.

On the airport expansion, Bhardwaj said land acquisition was complete, and the state government was moving the process forward. He said the state would announce the expansion soon.

The meeting also discussed proposed flights connecting Dharamshala with Mumbai and Ahmedabad. Bhardwaj said the proposals had been approved during the previous meeting and passenger-demand data had been sought.

According to the data discussed, both routes have potential. However, the airline cited operational challenges related to the distance and ATR aircraft operations.

Bhardwaj said these issues were discussed and expressed hope that the airport’s planned upgrade would help address the operational challenges and strengthen the prospects of new air services.