After 2-year hiatus, Alliance Air reconnects Kullu & Chandigarh

After nearly two years, Alliance Air is set to resume flight operations between Kullu and Chandigarh, bringing a much-needed boost to Himachal Pradesh’s air connectivity. The national regional carrier had suspended the route on November 16, 2023, after operating it since September 2020.

According to the revised schedule, flights will run three times a week — on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The service will depart from Kullu-Manali Airport at Bhuntar at 9.55 am, reaching Chandigarh at 10.35 am. The minimum fare is Rs 5,822, while senior citizens can avail discounted tickets for Rs 3,756.

However, the return leg from Chandigarh to Kullu is yet to appear in the November flight schedule. Aviation sources suggest the aircraft may instead operate from Dehradun on the same days. Meanwhile, Delhi-Kullu flights are expected to continue on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in November and December, though Kullu–Delhi services are currently listed only until November 6, leaving regular commuters uncertain.

The revived Chandigarh service offers travellers an affordable alternative to reach Delhi. Alliance Air’s Chandigarh-Delhi flight, priced around Rs 3,000, departs at 2.05 pm and lands at 3.10 pm, compared to the costly Rs 17,000–Rs 24,000 fares for the direct Kullu-Delhi sector, which lasts just 75 minutes.

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

Aviation experts have also proposed deploying Dornier-228 aircraft, smaller planes better suited for Bhuntar’s short runway. These could improve efficiency and reduce operational costs. Currently, Alliance Air flies ATR-72 and ATR-42 aircraft, but due to runway limitations, more than 60 per cent of seats often remain vacant.

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

Experts point out that in the 1990s, Kullu-Manali Airport handled up to eight daily flights, underscoring its rich aviation legacy. They now urge both state and central governments to extend logistical and policy support to attract more carriers and revive Himachal’s regional air network.