Shimla-Rampur-Reckong Peo Helicopter Service from Oct 21, More Air Links for Himachal Travellers
Shimla, October 19: Tourists and local residents will have a new travel option in Himachal Pradesh from October 21, with helicopter services connecting Sanjauli in Shimla with Rampur and Reckong Peo, offering quicker access to destinations in the state’s remote hill regions.
The service will operate three days a week — Monday, Friday and Saturday — linking Shimla, Rampur and Reckong Peo through scheduled flights. It is expected to benefit residents facing long road journeys while giving tourists another way to explore the state’s mountain destinations.
As per the schedule, the helicopter will depart from Sanjauli at 9.55 am and reach Rampur at 10.30 am. It will leave Rampur for Reckong Peo at 10.50 am, arriving at 11.25 am.
The return journey will begin from Reckong Peo at 11.30 am, reaching Rampur at 12.05 pm, before departing for Sanjauli at 12.10 pm and arriving at 12.45 pm.
The existing helicopter network from Sanjauli offers one-way fares of ₹3,500 per passenger to Kullu, ₹4,000 to Reckong Peo and ₹3,169 to Chandigarh under regional connectivity arrangements. However, fares for the newly introduced Sanjauli–Rampur and Rampur–Reckong Peo sectors have not yet been independently confirmed.
The service is being introduced under the Centre’s Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)-UDAN following the state government’s request to improve air access to remote areas. Pawan Hans Limited has been asked to commence operations on the Shimla-Rampur route.
The new link adds to the existing network of regional air services connecting Shimla with destinations including Reckong Peo and Kullu, as well as Chandigarh with Mandi via Kullu. Heritage Aviation operates the Shimla-Reckong Peo, Shimla-Kullu-Shimla and Chandigarh-Mandi via Kullu routes.
Pawan Hans also operates helicopter services between Sanjauli and Chandigarh three days a week under UDAN. An additional weekly flight is supported under the state’s regional connectivity scheme, with the government bearing the full viability gap funding of around ₹35.70 lakh per month. Together, these arrangements provide air connectivity between Shimla and Chandigarh throughout the week.
The expanded network offers an alternative to road travel across difficult mountain terrain, particularly for residents of remote areas, and gives visitors more options to plan journeys between Shimla and other destinations in Himachal Pradesh.
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