Rain, fog force Air India to stop flights to Kullu

Air India officials said that all bookings from July 1 to Sept 15 this year have been cancelled

Since the early onset of monsoon in mid June Air India flights have on most days not been able to land at the Kullu airport due to heavy fog forcing the airlines to suspend flights till Sept 15.

All bookings from July 1 to Sept 15 this year have been cancelled Air India officials said. Air India has conveyed this decision to the Airport Authority of India (AAI) in Kullu.

Air India had started flights in mid May this year with much fanfare. Even though the ticket was steep most flights were completely booked this summer .

Last year also Air India and Kingfisher had abruptly suspended flights to Kullu.

With pressure from the tourist bodies the state government had repeatedly taken up the issue with the Centre and flights had resumed on May 15 .

Now though the tourism industry in the Kullu valley will have to wait for the rainy season to end before flights are resumed.