Alliance Air (India) (9I, Delhi International) is due to resume flights from Shimla to Delhi International after being awarded the route under the Indian government's Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS). However, The Times of India reports that Alliance is seeking additional financial support from the regional government.
Shimla is the capital of the north Indian state Himachal Pradesh in the Himalayan foothills and is the country's only state capital with no flights. Virtual carrier Airhimalayas (Kullu) briefly served the airport in 2016, but otherwise the last services were operated by Kingfisher Airlines (Mumbai International) in September 2012. The Times reports that other airlines which have served the airport – Vayudoot (Delhi Safdarjung), Jagson Airlines (Delhi International) and Air Deccan (2003) (Bengaluru International) – did so without government subsidies.
Alliance Air had a successful test flight using an ATR72 earlier this year and media reports suggested it would commence regular operations in time for the summer. However, this latest report claims that the airline is looking for additional funding from the Himachal Pradesh state government. The state's Chief Secretary, V C Pharaka, is reported as saying that the government is considering the proposal.
