Dehradun Airport Gears Up To Become International; To Start With Kathmandu Flights

Credits: Wikimedia Commons

1. Uttarakhand's International Aviation Aspiration

[{"selector":"#anim-77447b9a-6940-46fc-8b06-abbed43595e6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9117ef4d-fa7f-4fa5-9049-c9d60279e774","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The Uttarakhand government is taking significant steps to elevate Dehradun's Jolly Grant Airport to international status, aiming to boost inbound tourism. Credits: Wikimedia Commons

2. Facilitating Connectivity With Kathmandu

[{"selector":"#anim-795de90a-e5d2-493c-85df-36c0a006b0da","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7b7629ad-3078-4d84-961d-b05dcada1930","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 167.14980%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash By inviting airlines to propose subsidised direct flights between Dehradun and Kathmandu, the state government is laying the groundwork for enhanced international connectivity.

3. Backing From The Union Government

[{"selector":"#anim-e25d6609-f380-498f-b1a4-e104bf65af5c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-794e7a4a-e102-4f50-b384-4fb42640ed71","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] This initiative is not only a state-level endeavour; it's supported by the Union government, as per the Times of India reports. Credits: Wikimedia Commons

4. Recovering International Tourism Post-COVID

[{"selector":"#anim-100c5efa-9129-41e6-ba6b-67daa03c4d24","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-60ac05ad-3499-483f-bac1-a57ad170a7bf","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash While domestic travel has rebounded strongly after the pandemic, international inbound tourism is still on the path to recovery.

5. Industry Recommendations For Boosting FTAs

[{"selector":"#anim-13311d7c-0ca3-4eb8-84e2-1cd4af37bf73","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-38891c41-3e71-4426-89a9-bcf92c850ed2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Wikimedia Commons Suggestions from the tourism industry emphasise the importance of increased international connectivity and the development of new tourism circuits.

6. Vision For India's Aviation Future

[{"selector":"#anim-7434525a-8a38-456b-95a6-ead76e9e0ffd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d60fa052-3afe-4d4c-9658-46d951dfcf1d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash There are ambitious plans at the national level to position India as a global aviation hub, with an expansion of airports and the emergence of mega airlines.

7. RFP For Kathmandu-Dehradun Flight Operations

[{"selector":"#anim-80ce65a4-2c67-42e3-9706-32546b707c76","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-061f1fc3-3022-4ea8-ba97-57dd6d89e8b2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 141.03814%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash According to the Times of India, the state government's Request for Proposal seeks to establish flight operations between Kathmandu and Dehradun. It aims to strengthen historical ties and unlock new opportunities for tourism and commerce.

8. Criteria For Selection And Implementation

[{"selector":"#anim-41ad1abc-b329-49ac-9209-367a6eba5018","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-171ca229-be81-4f2c-b30a-59381aa32fc0","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash The bidding process will prioritise established players with a strong operational track record, focusing on the viability gap funding per seat.

[{"selector":"#anim-ffb6b320-0ecc-449a-a981-6bf283d58d86","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ac6c7501-5181-4ead-9712-783459a93ba3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 386.41963%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The transformation of Dehradun Airport into an international hub marks a significant milestone for Uttarakhand. Credits: Wikimedia Commons