The State Government today requested the Union Civil Aviation Ministry to ensure reliable and affordable air connectivity to the State. While speaking in Union Civil Aviation Ministers conference at New Delhi, Industries and Information & Public Relations Minister, Mukesh Agnihotri said that at present there were no regular and reliable flights at all the three major airports of the State. He said that flights at Shimla airport had been suspended due to erosion in the air strip while flights at Bhunter and Kangra airports were not operating due to various other reasons. He requested the Civil Aviation Ministry to take effective steps to restore the air services in all the Airports in the State immediately. He said that VAT on air fuel had been reduced from 5% to only 1% from 1st April 2013 to provide cheap fuel to aircraft flying in the State. He told that Shimla, Kullu and Kangra towns had been identified as places of major importance for encouraging tourists and citizens of the State. He requested the Union Ministry to subsidize the Heli-Taxi flights in the State on the pattern of North Eastern States to provide connectivity on loss making routes and told that "Seat Underwriting" on flights by the State Government to incentivise private run airlines was not possible due to financial constraints of the State Government.
Shri Mukesh Agnihotri told that the State Government plans to construct Green Field Airports at Kandaghat, Jawalamukhi and Ranital to promote tourism and air connectivity in the State adding that Airport Authority of India had been requested to prepare pre feasibility report on all these airports. He said that the State Government had selected suitable land for construction of all these airports. He said that the State Government also proposes to extend the airstrips at Kullu airport for which technical assistance from IIT Roorkee has been taken. Industries Minister said that at present there were 63 operational helipads at various places in the State and added that the State Government had identified new locations for constructions of helipads in the State .
He told that the State Government had provided free land to AAI for construction of Shimla, Kullu and Kangra airports in order to strengthen air services in the State and had taken initiative to extend the airstrip of Kullu Airport. He said that the State Government was not imposing any property tax on airport land.He requested the Civil Aviation Ministry to include Himachal Pradesh in the development of 50 new low cost airports and 20 new bigger airports in the country so as to strengthen the air services in the State, as we have inadequate Railway connectivity in the State.