**Executive Summary**
This document answers Unstarred Question No. 872 in the Lok Sabha regarding air connectivity and safety measures at airports in Himachal Pradesh. It addresses the present status of flight operations, new routes, technical challenges, bird strike incidents, and measures for safe and reliable air connectivity, answering the questions posed by Shri Anurag Singh Thakur. The answer was provided on December 4th, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Flight Operations (Shimla, Kullu, Kangra):**
* Details of flight operations from Shimla, Kullu, and Kangra airports are attached in the annexure (presented at the end).
* Scheduled airlines operate flights as per approved schedules.
* Delays/cancellations are mainly due to extraordinary reasons (weather, technical, operational, ATC, ramp, airport issues).
* Airlines plan domestic flight schedules based on market demand, commercial feasibility, and company policy.
* **New Routes:**
* Details of new routes are attached in the annexure.
* **Technical Challenges and Measures:**
* Mountainous terrain is identified as CAT 'C' airfields, requiring specialized pilot training.
* DGCA issues Aerodrome Licenses to airports upon verifying compliance with regulatory requirements.
* Operations circulars (OC2/2012, OC8/1995, OC6/2002) specify minimum experience, training, and qualifications for pilots operating in mountainous terrain.
* **Bird Strikes and Related Hazards:**
* In 2025, Kullu Airport reported two bird strikes with no impact on flight operations, while Shimla and Kangra reported none.
* Steps to avoid disruptions from bird strikes:
* Coordination with civil authorities to keep the area around the airport clean.
* Disposal of garbage and proper waste management.
* Regular inspection of the airport surrounding area.
* AEMC meetings under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary/Commissioner/Head of the District.
* Maintenance of the operational area.
* Spreading awareness about wildlife hazards.
* Deploying bird scarers and scaring devices.
* Rule 91 of The Aircraft Rule 1937 prohibits dumping garbage and slaughter of animals within 10km of the Aerodrome Reference Point.
* Aerodrome Advisory Circular AD AC 06 of 2017 mandates implementing a wildlife control mechanism.
* Civil Aviation Requirement Section 4 Series B Part 1 mandates taking action to manage the risk posed by wildlife.
* Aerodrome Advisory Circular AD AC 01 of 2022 ensures strict implementation of wildlife hazard management.
* Aerodrome operators coordinate with local authorities on wildlife hazard management.
* **Further Measures for Air Connectivity:**
* Licensed Air Traffic Controllers are posted at all operational airports in Himachal Pradesh.
* Airport upgrades are a continuous process depending on land availability, commercial viability, socio-economic considerations, and operational requirements.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Airlines**
**Impact:** Must adhere to DGCA regulations, operational circulars related to mountainous terrain, and wildlife management protocols. Plans routes and schedules based on market demand and commercial feasibility.
**Action Required:** Follow approved schedules, take reasonable measures to avoid delays/cancellations, ensure pilots meet specialized training requirements, and comply with wildlife hazard management measures.
**Stakeholder: Pilots**
**Impact:** Need to meet specific training and experience requirements for operating in mountainous terrain.
**Action Required:** Obtain necessary certifications and training as per DGCA and operations circulars.
**Stakeholder: Airport Operators (Shimla, Kullu, Kangra)**
**Impact:** Responsible for implementing and maintaining airport infrastructure, obtaining Aerodrome Licenses, coordinating with local authorities on wildlife management, and ensuring safe and reliable air traffic control services.
**Action Required:** Comply with DGCA regulations, monitor and mitigate bird strike hazards, and continuously upgrade airport facilities as needed.
**Stakeholder: Local Authorities (Civil Authorities/Civil Bodies)**
**Impact:** Need to coordinate with airport operators to maintain cleanliness around the airport and manage garbage/waste effectively.
**Action Required:** Cooperate in managing wildlife hazards and preventing activities that attract wildlife near the airport.
**Stakeholder: Air Passengers**
**Impact:** Flight schedules and safety measures implemented at airports have a direct impact on access to air travel and passenger safety.
**Action Required:** Passengers should be aware of potential delays or cancellations due to weather or other extraordinary circumstances.
**Stakeholder: DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation)**
**Impact:** Responsible for enforcing regulations and ensuring airport compliance with safety and operational standards.
**Action Required:** Conduct inspections, issue aerodrome licenses, and enforce regulations related to pilot training, airport infrastructure, and wildlife management.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation and administration of rules, regulations and policies relating to civil aviation.
Himachal Pradesh: Indian state where the airports in question are located.
DGCA CAR Section 4: Regulations issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation relating to aerodrome licensing requirements.
The Aircraft Rule 1937: Rules established to regulate aviation activity. Rule 91 restricts garbage dumping and animal slaughter near airports.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 872
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 4th December 2025 )
AIR CONNECTIVITY AND SAFETY MEASURES AT AIRPORTS
872. SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) the present status of flight operations from the three airports in Himachal
Pradesh, namely Shimla, Kullu (Bhuntar) and Kangra (Gaggal) including the
number of airlines operating, total flights handled and the reasons for frequent
cancellations;
(b) whether the Government has identified/proposed new routes from the said
airports and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has identified technical challenges relating to
landing and take-off in mountainous terrain and if so, the details thereof along
with the infrastructural or procedural measures being implemented such as
navigational aids, runway upgrades, safety audits and specialised pilot training;
(d) whether incidents of bird strikes and related hazards reported at these airports
have affected flight operations and if so, the details thereof along with the steps
taken for bird hazard management including environmental control, coordination
with local bodies and deployment of deterrent systems; and
(e) whether the Government proposes any further measures including expansion
of air services, night-landing capability, enhanced ATC/meteorological support
and other steps to ensure safe and reliable air connectivity for Himachal Pradesh
and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a) & (b): The details of flight operations from Shimla, Kullu and Kangra is
attached at Annexure.
Scheduled airlines operate their flights as per the approved Schedule.
Delays/cancellations are mainly due to various extraordinary reasons viz.
weather, technical, operational, ATC, ramp, airport issues, etc., which could nothave been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken by the airline.
;
Airlines plan their domestic flight schedule on a specific route/city based on
market demand, commericial feasibility and their company policy.
(c): With regard to the airport infrastructure, the DGCA issues Aerodrome
Licenses to airports after verifying compliance with the regulatory requirements
stipulated in DGCA CAR Section 4, Series B, Part I, and CAR Section 4, Series
F, Part I.
Concerning the pilot training requirement, mountainous terrain have been
identified as CAT 'C' airfields due to the critical nature of operations in terms of
landing and take-off. Hence specialized pilot training requirements persist.
Operations circular i.e. OC2/2012 has been issued which specifically requires the
minimum experience, training requirements and qualification for pilots to operate
in and out of these airfields. Requirements for the operations in mountainous
terrain is also specified in operation circulars OC8/1995 and OC6/2002.
(d): In 2025, Kullu (Bhuntar) Airport reported two bird strikes with no impact
on flight operations, while Shimla and Kangra (Gaggal) Airports reported no bird
strikes and no operational disruptions.
However, the following steps are being taken to avoid any disruption in flight
operations at these airports:
1. Coordination with civil authorities/civil bodies to keep the area around the
airport clean and free from food that attracts wildlife.
2. Disposal of garbage and proper waste management.
3. Regular inspection of airport surrounding area involving concerned Depts. of
civic bodies.
4. AEMC meetings under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary/ Commissioner/
Head of the District & regular follow up action.
5. Maintenance of the operational area.
6. Spreading awareness around the local communities about wildlife hazards and
its impact.
7. Deploying bird scarers and scaring devices to scare birds within the airport area
etc.
Rule 91 of The Aircraft Rule 1937 prohibits dumping of garbage and slaughter
of animals that may attract wildlife within 10km of the Aerodrome Reference
Point.Aerodrome Advisory Circular AD AC 06 of 2017 mandates aerodrome operator
for development & implementing an effective wildlife control mechanism at
aerodromes to control wildlife strikes.
Civil Aviation Requirement Section 4 Series B Part 1 mandates aerodrome
operators to take necessary action to identify, manage and mitigate the risk of
aircraft operations posed by wildlife by adopting measures likely to minimize the
risk of collision between wildlife and aircraft.
Further, Aerodrome Advisory Circular AD AC 01 of 2022 has been issued to
identify the gaps and ensure strict implementation of the plan for wildlife hazard
management on and in the vicinity of aerodromes.
Aerodrome operators coordinate with local authorities to manage wildlife hazard
activities which is a component of wildlife hazard management plan.
(e): Licensed Air Traffic Controllers are posted at all operational airports in
Himachal Pradesh to ensure safe and reliable Air Traffic Control Services.
Further, the upgradation of airports is a continuous process and is undertaken by
the Airport Operators from time to time, depending on the availability of land,
commercial viability, socio-economic considerations, traffic demand/willingness
of airlines to operate to/from such airports & operational requirements for safety
of aircraft operations.
******ANNEXURE
Present Status of Flight Operations in Himachal Pradesh
Airport No. of schedule Airlines Cities
aircraft operating connected
movements
(arrival +
departure) per
week
KANGRA 60 Indigo, Alliance Delhi,
Air, Spicejet Chandigarh
KULLU 12 Alliance Air Amritsar,
Dehradun, Delhi,
Jaipur
SHIMLA No schedule flight operations