Air Deccan: Always a trend setter
Air Deccan’s move to operate direct daily flights in the Delhi-Kullu sector, would be a real boost to the tourism-based economy of the Himalayan valley as it is a paradise on earth for many.
Analysts explain the move would help the promotion of tourism here as domestic tourists belong to the upper-middle class will prefer low-cost carriers for Kullu-Manali trips during holidays, since time would worth more than gold in the IT-age.
India’s premier low cost carrier- Air Deccan’s offices in metros and other cities are now receiving a huge number of calls daily from people who are planning a Kullu- Manali trip after it announced the addition of Kullu to its aviation map, setting a new trend in India’s tourism industry.
The airline said in a recent release that direct daily flights from Delhi to Kullu and back would commence operations on 17th October and a 48 seater ATR 42-500 aircraft would be deployed on this route.
The flight DN 557 would leave Delhi at 0615 hrs and reach Kullu at 0725 hrs and the return flight DN 558 would leave Kullu at 0740 hrs and reach Delhi at 0850 hrs, providing a quick access to the valleys where one can see how mountains touch the door steps of heaven.
For years together, the Kullu – Manali region had been attracting tourists and mountaineers from across the globe and last year Kullu – Manali saw almost 1 million tourist footprints. But there is just one airline operating to Kullu at present and the other options available are either by road or by train which take as long as 14 hours and are not very safe considering the hilly terrain of the region. Poor air connectivity has been a major hurdle to the promotion of tourism in the area.
Therefore the Airport Authorities over the last few years are involved in development of various airports in Himachal Pradesh including the Bhuntar Airport at Kullu. As a result, a lot of infrastructural development has happened at these airports especially widening of airstrips enabling the turbo-prop aircrafts to land here.
However, the new trend hints low cost connectivity to Kullu can play a vital role in enhancing tourism by providing a quick and affordable travel option for domestic tourists.