Shimla airport to restart regular flights from June 9

Shimla, June 7 (IANS) After over three and a half years closed, the airport here is going to resume operations, an official said on Tuesday.

IIC Technologies Ltd will start its regular flights between Chandigarh and Shimla and Dharamsala and Shimla from June 9, a government spokesperson told IANS.

State Urban Development Minister Sudhir Sharma will flag off the flight from Shimla.

The spokesman said the company would also ply to and fro flights between Chandigarh and Kullu.

Shimla's airport at Jubbarhatti, located 2,196 metres above sea-level, has been shut for the scheduled flights since September 6, 2012, affecting tourists and business travellers to the state.

However, airports at Kullu and Dharamsala in the state have been functioning.

Hospitality industry representatives are expecting good tourist arrivals with the restoration of the air link.

"The plying of regular flights from the Shimla airport will definitely attract high-end tourists," D.P. Bhatia of Clarke's Hotel here told IANS.