Pathankot comes on the country's aviation map

Pathankot, Nov 21 (UNI) Pathankot, the gateway to the tourist resorts of Dalhousie, Chamba, Dharamshala, Kangra and those in Jammu and Kashmir was today brought on the aviation map of the country with the inaugural flight from Delhi touching down at the Indian Air Force (IAF) base here this afternoon.

Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel in the presence of Lok Sabha member and cine star Vinod Khanna and other dignitaries welcomed the passengers as they alighted from the Air Deccan flight.

The Minister also inaugurated the airport terminal for civilians at the IAF base.Senior officers of the Airport Authority of India were also present on the occasion.

The town bordering J&K and Himachal Pradesh serves as the gateway to the northern most regions of India. The town is a stop for tourists and sometimes even foreigners coming to India through the Wagah border and heading towards resorts in Himachal and J&K.

Air Deccan Managing Director Capt G R Gopinath who was also present on the occasion said that the airliner was the first to bring civil aviation to the town. The town is Air Deccan's 61st airport and the 12th unconnected town to be brought on the country's aviation map.

The Air Deccan flight on a 48-seater ATR-42 aircraft will leave Delhi for Pathankot daily at 1400 hours. The return flight on the same day will leave Pathankot at 1545 hours and land in Delhi after an hours flight.

UNI XC-HS KR HS1942