Flights resume at Kangra airport after 5-day closure
Flight operations at Kangra airport officially resumed today after a five-day suspension that began on May 7, following heightened military activity at the India-Pakistan border. This move comes after the Ministry of Civil Aviation directed the reopening of all 32 airports across the western and northern regions of the country, which were closed amid the recent conflict.
The decision was made in light of the ceasefire agreement and easing tensions. According to Dhirendra Singh, Director of Kangra Airport, “A decision has been taken by the Civil Aviation to resume flights. Keeping in view the recent happenings, we have already implemented stringent security measures at the airport to ensure the safety of all passengers.”
Though operations resumed today, regular flight schedules and passenger traffic are expected to normalize starting May 13. Currently, Kangra Airport handles around 16 to 18 flights daily. However, many travelers remain cautious, slowly regaining confidence in air travel after the recent turmoil.
Kangra airport, the busiest in Himachal Pradesh, was recently recognised as the top performer in the 2024 customer satisfaction survey among domestic airports. To accommodate future growth, the state government has undertaken expansion work to extend the existing 1,372-metre runway to 3,110 metres. This development will allow larger aircraft to land and enable night-time operations, enhancing regional connectivity.
The resumption of flights marks a hopeful turn towards normalcy in the region and is expected to boost both tourism and local business in the coming days.
