Uttarakhand: Naini Saini Airport in Pithoragarh to be open for flights; is only 50 km from China border

PTC Web Desk: The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has given the nod to Naini Saini Airport in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh district. It has an aerial distance of just 50 km from the China border. 

The DGCA has now given nod to the Naini Saini Airport for flight operations. Notably, the airport was made in 1991 for administrative use. However, at present, it is now being used by Uttarakhand-run Pawan Hans Heli iServices. 

A nine-seater commercial airplane service began from the airport in 2019, but had to be shut the next year due to technical issues. The Naini Saini airport in Pithoragarh connects the remote areas of the state to the remaining parts of India.

It is learnt that in February, the Uttarakhand Government decided to hand over the airport to the Indian Air Force. It is a major boost for air connectivity in Uttarakhand, especially in Kumaon region. We want to  thank PM Narendra Modi and the civil aviation ministry," Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami was quoted as saying by 'Times of India'.

How did airport get this name? 

Named after freedom fighter Naini Saini, the airport is situated approximately 5 km from the main town of Pithoragarh and around 100 km from the popular tourist destination of Nainital. It is nestled amid the scenic beauty of the Himalayan foothills, offering breathtaking views.