Why Only Two International Flights From Chandigarh Airport? High Court Seeks Response From Union, Punjab Govt

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has sought affidavit from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Punjab Government on why there are only two international flights from Chandigarh International airport.

Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Anil Kshetarpal said, "There is also no explanation coming from the Chandigarh International Airport Authority Limited as to why there are only two international flights from Chandigarh (UT and capital of two prosperous States) on daily basis i.e to Sharjahan and Dubai. It is unfortunate to note that even a District Headquarter like Amritsar has more than 14 international flights to various countries."

The Court asked the Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Govt. of India, to file an affidavit as to why the number of international flights from Chandigarh has remained static and has not been increased despite the airport becoming CAT-II ILR compliant more than eighteen months ago.

It also sought an affidavit from Punjab Government explaining as to what steps have been taken to increase the number of international flights from Chandigarh International Airport.

These observations were made while hearing the writ petition filed on the non-operation of the International Terminal stating that the same is causing the huge loss not only to the public exchequer but also to passenger services and business situated in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.

Previously, the Court has also delved into the issue of shorter route to the airport. A committee headed by S.P.Jain, Additional Solicitor General of India, was constituted, which was directed to submit timeline for ensuring expeditious completion of the proposed shorter route.

The Court noted that the main issue of Chandigarh Airport was having negligent international flights, the non-availability of night landing facility was the biggest obstacle, "which was resolved by installation of CAT- II ILR in March, 2023."

However, the timeline for construction of alternative route is still hanging fire and has not been submitted till date, it added.

In this regard, the Court also directed the Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Govt. of India to provide a certification, as to whether there is any plan for extending the airport and if yes, then on which side of the airport?.

The matter is listed for November 06, for further consideration.

 M.L. Sarin, Senior Advocate (amicus curiae), with  Ritesh Aggarwal, Advocate.

Sachin Jain, Advocate, for the petitioner in CWP-27436-2015.

 Amandeep Singh, Advocate, for the petitioners in CWP-32611-2019.

 Rohit Nagpal,  A.S. Rawaley, Advocates for the petitioners in CWP-6038-2020.

ADS Jattana, Advocate for the petitioner(s).

Anmoldeep Singh, Advocate for petitioner in CWP-32611-2019

Satya Pal Jain, Addl. Solicitor General of India, with Mr. Arun Gosain, Senior Govt. Counsel for UOI.

Shekhar Verma, Addl. A.G., Punjab.

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