Gaggal airport sees flight expansion, total seven now
Gaggal Airport has expanded its flight operations with the addition of a new flight from March 30, increasing the total number of daily flights to seven. Of these, five flights operate between Gaggal and Delhi, while one each connects Gaggal to Chandigarh and Shimla. However, the Gaggal-Shimla flight runs only on alternate days.
Currently, SpiceJet operates four flights between Gaggal and Delhi, while Alliance Air runs two flights, connecting Shimla-Gaggal and Delhi-Gaggal. IndiGo also operates one daily flight between Gaggal and Delhi. In addition to these, two more flights are expected to be introduced soon, linking Gaggal to Dehradun and Noida.
With the arrival of summer, the inflow of tourists to Kangra Valley has increased significantly, leading to a rise in airfares. Gaggal Airport, the busiest in Himachal Pradesh, faces challenges due to its limited runway length of 1,372 metres, which allows only small 70-seater aircraft to land. As a result, airfares remain among the highest in the country, sometimes reaching Rs 21,000 for a one-way trip from Dharamsala to Delhi during peak tourist season.
Spread over 1,269 acres at an altitude of 2,492 feet, the airport has a 300x200-foot apron, providing parking space for two turboprop aircraft like the ATR-72. Its terminal building can accommodate 100 passengers at a time. Notably, it is the only airport in Himachal Pradesh where an 85-seater aircraft can land with ease.
In an effort to enhance air connectivity, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) had earlier proposed a draft plan to extend the runway from 1,376 metres to 3,110 metres. This expansion would allow the landing of larger aircraft, including airbuses and Boeings, and is expected to boost tourism while making air travel more affordable for passengers.
