Uttarakhand Begins Dehradun Airport's International Expansion | 23 Apr 2024

Why in News?

In a significant effort to boost inbound tourism, the Uttarakhand government is working on transforming Dehradun into an international airport.

Key Points

• The state government has called for proposals from airlines to run subsidized non-stop flights between Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun and Kathmandu.
  • Reports suggest that the central government supports this initiative to tap into India's ability to become a global tourist destination.
  • Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTA) in 2019 totaled around 1.1 crore. In 2022, this number decreased to 62 lakh, but in 2023 it increased to 92.4 lakh.
  • The industry is discussing strategies to surpass the 2019 FTA levels by enhancing international connectivity, introducing new tourism routes, and simplifying visa procedures.
• Ambitious strategies are underway to position India as a key global aviation center with major airlines like IndiGo and Tata Group Air India alongside significant hubs.
• By connecting the capital cities of Nepal and Uttarakhand, this endeavour not only fortifies historical ties but also unlocks new avenues for tourism, commerce, and cultural exchange.
• India has doubled the number of airports since 2014 and many of them will increasingly get international status to have direct flights at least from nearby catchment countries.