Yog Raj Sharma
The North News
Shimla, January 21
Helicopter taxi services connecting Shimla with Chandigarh, Kullu and Reckong Peo have been launched in Himachal Pradesh, aimed at cutting travel time and boosting tourism in the hill state. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu flagged off the first flight to Reckong Peo from the Chalauthi heliport after the Sanjauli heliport in Shimla was opened for commercial operations following clearance from the central government. Cabinet minister Jagat Singh Negi also travelled to Kinnaur on the inaugural service.
Addressing the launch, Sukhu said the services would make air travel accessible to ordinary citizens at taxi-like fares, while also benefiting tourism and saving time for travellers. He added that the state government was exploring similar air connectivity for other districts.
Under the current schedule, Heritage Aviation will operate one daily flight from Shimla to Reckong Peo and two daily flights to Kullu’s Bhuntar airport. Pawan Hans Limited will run helicopter taxi services on the Chandigarh–Shimla route three days a week—Monday, Friday and Saturday.
The fare has been fixed at ₹3,500 per passenger from Shimla to Kullu, ₹4,000 from Shimla to Reckong Peo and ₹3,169 from Shimla to Chandigarh. Officials said the services would also offer tourists aerial views of Shimla’s valleys, supporting adventure and religious tourism.
The Chief Minister said the frequency of flights on the Shimla–Chandigarh route may be increased in the future. He noted that earlier attempts to start similar services during the BJP government had not succeeded.
The helicopter taxi services are being operated under the central government’s UDAN scheme. Eighty per cent of the operational cost will be borne by the Centre, with the remaining 20 per cent funded by the Himachal Pradesh government.
