Revival of Naini Saini: Uttarakhand’s Strategic Airport to Resume Operations After 4-Year Hiatus
Naini Saini Airport in Uttarakhand, which ceased operations shortly after its launch in 2019, is set to resume activity. The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued an aerodrome license to the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA), signaling the airport’s comeback. Positioned near the India-China border in Pithoragarh district, this move is seen as strategic.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia for the development, highlighting it as a significant boost to the state’s air connectivity.
The airport, initially offering flights to Delhi and Dehradun, had to halt operations within a year. District Magistrate of Pithoragarh, Reena Joshi, shared that with the license, flight operations are anticipated to resume shortly, starting with connections to Jolly Grant in Dehradun and Hindon in Ghaziabad.
Locals are optimistic about the reopening, expecting it to not only enhance tourism but also create job opportunities in Pithoragarh and neighboring districts like Almora, Bageshwar, and Champawat.
Uttarakhand currently serves flights through Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun and Pantnagar Airport in Udham Singh Nagar. The revival of Naini Saini Airport, built in 1991 and briefly operated in 2019 before being handed over to the Indian Air Force in February 2023, is set to accommodate small aircraft, facilitating regional connectivity and development.
