Helicopter connectivity expands as Himachal Pradesh introduces daily Chandigarh-Mandi-Kullu air link

The Himachal Pradesh government has expanded its regional air transport network with the launch of a daily helicopter service linking Chandigarh, Mandi and Kullu, a move aimed at improving accessibility to the state’s interior and mountainous areas while giving a boost to tourism and emergency services.

The new service was virtually flagged off by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu from the newly developed Kangnidhar Heliport in Mandi. Officials said the Mandi-Chandigarh sector will operate under the Centre’s Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN), whereas flights on the Kullu-Mandi-Chandigarh route will be managed by Heritage Aviation Private Limited.

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Under the operational schedule, the helicopter will take off from Kullu at 9 am, halt briefly at Mandi, and reach Chandigarh at 9:45 am. The return service will depart Chandigarh at 10 am, stop at Mandi before continuing to Kullu, completing the round trip by 10:45 am.

The airfare for passengers travelling between Mandi and Chandigarh has been pegged at around Rs 3,500 under the UDAN initiative, while the fare for the Kullu-Mandi-Chandigarh route has been estimated at Rs 8,500.

Developed with modern passenger amenities and aviation infrastructure, the Kangnidhar Heliport is expected to emerge as an important air transit facility for central Himachal Pradesh, improving connectivity for residents, tourists and emergency operations in the region.

Addressing the launch, Sukhu said the state government is working to strengthen air connectivity in remote and difficult terrains to make travel faster and more convenient. He said the helicopter service would not only reduce travel time but also support the tourism sector, improve emergency response capabilities and provide easier access for people living in far-flung areas as well as visitors.

The Chief Minister said the government is pursuing a wider plan to establish heliports across the state to strengthen tourism infrastructure. He added that heliport projects at Jaskot in Hamirpur district, Rakkar and Palampur in Kangra district, and Chamba are nearing completion and will become operational in the near future.