The Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) has unveiled an ambitious plan to bolster direct air connectivity between Uttarakhand and major Indian cities, under the Uttarakhand Air Connectivity Scheme. This initiative aims to enhance the accessibility of the Himalayan state and stimulate both tourism and business activities.
UCADA has issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) to airlines, inviting bids to operate seven new domestic routes. The scheme includes the provision of Viability Gap Funding (VGF) subsidies to encourage airlines to service these routes. The VGF will be offered either through a cost-minus-revenue model or as a fixed subsidy per seat for unsold tickets, designed to make these routes financially viable. The proposed routes include direct flights from Jolly Grant Airport to Chennai, Bhopal, and Patna. Additionally, Pantnagar will see new direct connections to Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata, while a direct flight between Pithoragarh and Delhi is also planned. UCADA CEO C Ravishankar highlighted that these routes were selected based on anticipated passenger demand and strategic importance.
Ravishankar emphasised the benefits of these new connections. “The direct flights from Pantnagar to Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata are expected to cater to significant traveller demand. For instance, the Mumbai route will particularly benefit the business community involved with the State Infrastructure and Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand Ltd. (SIDCUL). Meanwhile, the Bengaluru connection will facilitate easier travel for trekkers heading to the Kumaon region, and the Kolkata route will attract tourists from West Bengal,” he explained.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance Uttarakhand’s air connectivity, supporting both domestic and potential international air services in the state. By leveraging financial incentives through the VGF scheme, UCADA aims to stimulate the expansion of air services and foster economic growth.
