Shimla: Vice Chairman, H.P. Tourism Development Board Major Vijay Singh Mankotia has raised the demand with the Government of India to restart flights to Shimla airport at the earliest keeping in view the importance of this hill capital. 

            In a meeting held in New Delhi with the Union Minister of State for Tourism Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Major Mankotia said the flights to Shimla airport had been suspended since past three years, which was causing great inconvenience to the visitors as well as high end tourists.  He apprised that Himachal Pradesh had prepared a plan for promoting eco, adventure, religious and cultural tourism and there was need to strengthen air services to the State to attract more tourists to various destinations. He requested to regularize the flights to Kangra and Bhuntar airports to facilitate the high-end tourists and further development of these airstrips. 

            Major Mankotia also urged for providing a special package to the hilly States of Himachal Pradesh, Uttrakhand and Jammu and Kashmir for expansion roads, rail network and air connectivity keeping in view tough topography of these States.