Now, Shimla, Kullu only minutes away!

Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, May 19

Good news for those who love travelling to the hills to beat the excruciating summer heat, as Air Deccan will start a flight to Delhi, Shimla and Kullu soon.

The website of the Air Deccan mentions the flight schedule, but the airport authorities are yet to confirm the dates.

It has come as good news for the residents in the city, as they can now reach their favourite destination within no time.

The official website of the Air Deccan displays a complete schedule of flights from June 14 to August 31. The customer care executive Air Deccan confirmed about the flight, which will start from Ludhiana to Delhi, Kullu and Shimla. The executive said they have been receiving a lot of queries about the same and some have even reserved their tickets.

The distance between Ludhiana and Shimla is 225 km by road and is covered in 5 hours, but the flight will take just 35 minutes. The distance between Ludhiana and Kullu is 309 km and is covered in 7 hours by road, but the flight will take only 45 minutes. The 20-seater flight will be operational six days a week from Monday to Saturday, while presently only one flight to Delhi is operational from Ludhiana in the evening. The ticket from Ludhiana to Shimla will cost Rs6,233, including taxes per person, and from Ludhiana to Kullu it will cost Rs5,183, including taxes.

Shalini, a city resident, said the news came has a waft of fresh air during the summer season. “Going uphill sometimes becomes a tedious task due to the hot weather and during monsoons, it becomes little risky to go on a road trip. “With Air Deccan starting its flights to these hill stations, reaching there will become easy and pleasant. I am looking forward to go to the ‘Queen of the Hills’ in a flight this summer,” she said.

AN Sharma, director of Sahnewal Airport, confirmed that the flights to Delhi, Kullu and Shimla would be starting soon. “The date has not been finalised so far, but it is true that the flight will surely start. The final decision regarding the slots will be decided in Delhi. But the flights to Delhi, Kullu and Shimla are expected to start very soon,” Sharma said.