The Himachal Pradesh High Court on Wednesday directed Air India to file a detailed reply on a petition challenging suspension of flights from Jubbarhatti Airport in Shimla since September 2012.
A Division Bench passed these orders on a petition contending that though the Government is spending crores of rupees on the upkeep and maintenance of the airport, but no flight is operating from Shimla since September 2012, which has made it a virtual white elephant.
Kingfisher Airlines was operating flights from the airport, but ceased its operations in September, 2012 after load restrictions were imposed on the aircraft due to the high altitude area.
This is causing loss to public exchequer as no purpose is being served by spending crores of rupees on airport besides loss of tourism revenue due to no air connectivity.
The Chief Secretary on Wednesday apprised the court that the Chairman of Air India informed that with the present airport infrastructure, ATR 42-320 type of aircraft from the existing fleet of Alliance Air, a wholly owned subsidiary of Air India, can be considered if operational facilities for smooth and safe operations are provided at the airport
