Jaisalmer Airport in Rajasthan received its first summer-season scheduled flight from Jaipur on Sunday, marking the start of year-round air connectivity between the two cities. The service, operated by Alliance Air using a 42-seater ATR aircraft, aims to improve regional connectivity and support tourism in the desert district, which has traditionally seen limited or no flight operations during summer due to extreme heat and low passenger demand.
The initiative is part of a broader effort involving state tourism stakeholders and private partners to sustain air services beyond the peak winter season. Under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, local hotel operators and tourism-linked businesses are contributing viability gap funding to help make the route financially viable for airlines.
The inaugural flight carried 12 passengers from Jaipur to Jaisalmer, while only four passengers travelled on the return journey. Despite the low occupancy, officials and tourism representatives described the launch as an important step toward building long-term demand and strengthening connectivity in western Rajasthan.
The service will operate twice weekly, on Sundays and Thursdays, with authorities expecting passenger numbers to gradually rise as awareness increases and tourism promotion efforts expand. The air travel time between Jaipur and Jaisalmer is around 1 hour and 45 minutes, significantly shorter than the 10–12 hour road journey, improving accessibility for travellers.
Officials involved in the project said the introduction of summer flights addresses a long-standing gap in connectivity. Until now, scheduled flights to Jaisalmer have largely operated only during the winter tourist season (October to March), when weather conditions are more favourable and demand is higher. Operations have typically been suspended during summer due to low passenger volumes and higher operating costs.
Tourism stakeholders believe that maintaining air connectivity throughout the year could help diversify tourist inflows and reduce dependence on seasonal travel patterns. Jaisalmer, known for its heritage forts, desert landscapes, and sandstone architecture, is one of Rajasthan’s most prominent tourism destinations, but extreme summer temperatures have historically restricted visitor numbers during this period.
Local representatives and tourism entrepreneurs associated with the initiative said the goal is to position Jaisalmer as an all-season destination. Alongside improved air connectivity, efforts are also being made to promote night tourism, desert cultural events, heritage experiences, and stargazing activities, which are less affected by daytime heat.
Stakeholders said the viability gap funding mechanism is crucial for sustaining the service in its early phase, as airlines typically avoid routes with low seasonal demand without financial support. They added that continued collaboration between private tourism operators and aviation partners will be necessary to ensure long-term stability of the route.
While initial passenger numbers remain limited, officials expect demand to improve gradually as connectivity becomes more established. They also highlighted potential benefits beyond tourism, including easier access for medical travel, administrative movement, and business connectivity in the region.
The launch of the Jaipur–Jaisalmer summer flight represents a shift in Rajasthan’s regional aviation strategy, focusing on extending connectivity beyond traditional tourist seasons and improving year-round access to remote destinations.
