Lok Sabha Question No. 872 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-04
Subject: Air Connectivity and Safety Measures at Airports
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Anurag Singh Thakur

## 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 not have 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 aircraft movements (arrival + departure) per week   | Airlines operating             | Cities connected                  |
|-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
| KANGRA    | 60                                                                  | Indigo, Alliance Air, Spicejet | Delhi, Chandigarh                 |
| KULLU     | 12                                                                  | Alliance Air                   | Amritsar, Dehradun, Delhi, Jaipur |
| SHIMLA    | No schedule flight operations                                       | No schedule flight operations  | No schedule flight operations     |