(a) whether the airports in Himachal Pradesh are very small and they have the landing
facilities only for small and lighter aircraft in which air travel is costly;
(b) if so,whether the Government propose to expand the airports of Himachal Pradesh so that
it could allow landing of medium size aeroplanes;
(c) if so,the details thereof; and
(d) if not,the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION(SHRI PRAFUL PATEL)
(a) Yes,Sir.
(b),(c)&(d) Due to terrain conditions and lack of adequate land availability as per ICAO
requirements,it is not feasible to expand the airports in Himachal Pradesh to cater to medium
size aircraft.However,the airports in Himachal Pradesh are being upgraded to the extent
feasible subject to availability of adequate land to meet ICAO requirements,so as to enable
operation of ATR type of aircraft without any load penalty.