Uttaranchal Planning Mountain Airline

Anindita Chattopadhyay - New Delhi

Air connectivity is one area that acts as a stumbling block to the growth of tourism in Uttaranchal. Though the state gets around 14 million tourists, but lack of air connectivity has failed to attract high spenders. To address the connectivity issue, the Uttaranchal Tourism Development Board (UTDB) has asked IDFC to do a feasibility study for having a mountain airline. "It is still in the planning stage. We are looking at the feasibility of having a mountain airline, which will connect the high altitude destinations of Uttaranchal and Himachal. We have spoken to Himachal Pradesh Tourism Department about it and they are eager as well. Such an airline will be a combination of fixed wings aircraft, ATRs and choppers," said N N Prasad, secretary, department of tourism, culture and information, government of Uttaranchal and CEO, Uttaranchal Tourism Development Board.

According to him, there are quite a few people who are ready to pay in order to save time and travel hassles. "We want to have these high-spending tourists to augur the state's economic growth," he added. Connecting high altitude destinations of the state, he pointed out, is no more a problem with the two airports in Dehradun and Pant Nagar and the three airstrips, Pithoragarh, Chinyalisaur in Uttarkashi and Gauchar in Chamoli operational. "With Air Deccan now flying to Dehradun, a connecting chopper service to these three airstrips would make Gangotri, Jamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath, Auli and Kumaun region more accessible. Last year, we had Pawan Hans choppers operating from Rudraprayag to Kedarnath at Rs 8,000 per person. It got a good response. This year also we are talking to Air Deccan and Pawan Hans to finalise plans before April," he informed.

Prem Subramaniam, head- tourism infrastructure, IDFC thinks there is a potential for such an airline but it will depend on various aspects. Explaining the factors that could influence the operation, he said, "We are conducting a study on various parameters to assess the feasibility. Firstly, the physical parameters like situation of the terrain, weather conditions that would impede or allow landing, the ground facilities available, kind of aircraft that can be used, the empty leg from where the aircraft is parked to the actual point of service etc are being considered. Secondly, we are collating data and doing anecdotal analysis to find out if there is a critical mass available to make such an operation commercially viable and sustainable. Plus, assessing what value are they looking for because the price must reflect the value proposition. And thirdly, what can be the business models. For instance, a mountain airline can have low flying aircraft operating one-hour services to give an overview of the scenic beauty of the mighty rivers and the peaks and also operate connecting services." The report is expected to be complete in the next three months.