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The Himachal Pradesh government has partnered with Alliance Air to introduce daily flights connecting Delhi, Shimla and Dharamshala, with operations expected to begin later this month. The move aims to improve regional air connectivity and support tourism across key destinations in the state. The flights will operate using 48-seater ATR aircraft under a full viability gap funding model, with the state bearing the cost. The agreement is valid for one year and is expected to improve accessibility for both tourists and residents.
The Himachal Pradesh government has signed a memorandum of understanding with Alliance Air to start daily flight services connecting Delhi, Shimla and Dharamshala. The initiative is part of the state's efforts to improve regional air connectivity and make travel easier across key tourist and administrative centres. Advertisement
Officials from the state's tourism and civil aviation department stated that the planned services will create a direct air link between the national capital and two important destinations in Himachal Pradesh. The flights are expected to begin operations in the last week of April 2026, improving travel options ahead of the peak tourist season.
The services will be operated using ATR 42-600 aircraft with a seating capacity of 48 passengers. The flights will run daily, offering consistent connectivity on the route. This is expected to significantly reduce travel time compared to road journeys, which are often long and affected by terrain and weather conditions in the hill state.
The project will be supported under a 100 percent viability gap funding model. Under this arrangement, the state government will provide financial assistance to Alliance Air in the form of grant-in-aid to ensure the route remains operational. The annual financial support for the service has been estimated at around INR 32.64 crore, based on actual billing and operational requirements.
The agreement between the state government and the airline will remain valid for a period of 12 months from the start of operations. Officials indicated that the performance of the route during this period will help determine the future continuation or expansion of such services.
This move follows earlier disruptions in air connectivity on similar routes after previous agreements ended. The state has been working to restore these services, as past operations under regional connectivity initiatives had faced interruptions due to financial and operational challenges. Earlier proposals had also included financial support of around INR 31 crore annually to sustain such routes.
Improved air connectivity is seen as important for boosting tourism in Shimla and Dharamshala, which attract a large number of domestic and international visitors. Better access is also expected to benefit business travel and improve overall connectivity for residents, especially in areas where road travel can be time-consuming.
Source PTI
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