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To improve air connectivity in Himachal Pradesh, two new routes connecting Kullu and Shimla with Amritsar will be made operational shortly, a government statement said on Wednesday. The flights on the Kullu-Amritsar-Kullu route are scheduled to commence on October 1. These flights will operate thrice a week, specifically on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Meanwhile, the Shimla-Amritsar-Shimla route is set to begin its operations from November 1 and that too, three times a week.

Alliance Air has already initiated ticket bookings for the Kullu-Amritsar-Kullu route, making it convenient for travellers to plan their journeys.  The Kullu-Amritsar flight will depart at 8:25 AM from Kullu, reaching Amritsar at 09:30 AM, while the return flight from Amritsar will take off at 10:00 AM and arrive in Kullu at 11:05 AM. 50 percent of the seats on this route will be subsidized seats, with airfares at Rs. 2637 for the Kullu to Amritsar sector and Rs. 3284 for the Amritsar to Kullu sector.

"The tourism industry plays a crucial role in providing employment opportunities for the state's youth and contributes significantly to the state's revenue. The government is committed to enhancing air connectivity and establishing heliports to stimulate tourism and economic development in the region, making the State's stunning natural beauty and cultural bounty more accessible to travellers thereby strengthening the economy of the state," Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said.

The state government is committed to promoting tourism and civil aviation, emphasizing the expansion of air connectivity to key tourist destinations. Apart from the already existing three airports at Jubbarhatti (Shimla), Bhuntar (Kullu), and Gaggal (Kangra) efforts are underway to expand the Kangra airport to further enhance the state's air connectivity and ease the landing of bigger planes. Additionally, the State has developed new heliports in Shimla, Baddi, Rampur, and Kangnidhar (Mandi), with plans for another heliport in Manali (DGRE, SASE) to further facilitate travel to and within the State, he added.

Sukhu also highlighted the significance of Amritsar International Airport, which serves as a major hub connecting various domestic and international destinations. He said that the introduction of these new flights is expected to benefit both domestic and international tourists, facilitating access to Kullu-Manali and the tribal tourist destinations in Lahaul & Spiti.