After Two-Year Gap, Alliance Air Restores Kullu–Chandigarh Flight

Thrice-weekly service expected to boost tourism; stakeholders seek daily operations

After nearly two years, Alliance Air is set to resume flights between Kullu and Chandigarh, restoring a crucial air link for Himachal Pradesh and offering a much-needed boost to tourism in the region. The national regional carrier had suspended the route on November 16, 2023, after operating it regularly since September 2020.

According to the revised schedule, flights will operate three times a week — on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The service will depart from Kullu-Manali Airport in Bhuntar at 9:55 a.m. and arrive in Chandigarh at 10:35 a.m. The minimum fare has been fixed at ₹5,822, while senior citizens can avail discounted tickets priced at ₹3,756.

However, the return leg from Chandigarh to Kullu has not yet been included in the November flight schedule. Aviation sources suggest the aircraft may operate to Dehradun later the same day. Meanwhile, Delhi–Kullu flights are expected to continue on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays through November and December, though Kullu–Delhi services are only available until November 6, leaving frequent flyers uncertain about connectivity beyond that date.

The reinstated Chandigarh service offers travelers a cheaper alternative to Delhi. Alliance Air’s Chandigarh–Delhi flight, priced at around ₹3,000, departs at 2:05 p.m. and lands at 3:10 p.m., compared with the direct Kullu–Delhi service, which costs between ₹17,000 and ₹24,000 for the 75-minute journey.

Local tourism stakeholders have welcomed the resumption but expressed disappointment over the limited frequency. Members of the Kullu Travel Agents Association (KTAA) have urged authorities to restore daily connectivity, emphasizing its importance for tourism and trade, particularly ahead of the busy winter season.

Aviation experts have also recommended deploying Dornier-228 aircraft, smaller planes better suited for Bhuntar’s short and challenging runway. This could enhance efficiency and reduce operating costs. At present, Alliance Air operates ATR-72 and ATR-42 aircraft, but due to runway constraints, more than 60% of seats often go unfilled.

Bhupender Thakur, chief patron of KTAA, has called for extending services to Leh, Jammu, and Dharamshala, recalling that Jagson Airlines once successfully operated Dornier aircraft on these routes.

Experts note that during the 1990s, the Kullu-Manali Airport handled as many as eight flights daily, a testament to its once-thriving aviation network. They now urge both the state and central governments to provide logistical and policy support to attract more airlines and revive Himachal Pradesh’s regional air connectivity — a move that could prove vital for sustaining tourism and local livelihoods.