Pithoragarh Airport Flights: Delhi, Dehradun, Helicopters

Facts checked November 2026.

Pithoragarh is the last big town before the Adi Kailash and Om Parvat route. A flight here can save a long day of hill driving. This guide explains which flights run now, how reliable they are, and how yatris use the airport on the way to Dharchula.

This page is part of our How to Reach Adi Kailash and Om Parvat guide. Planning the yatra? See our Adi Kailash yatra packages.

Which flights go to Pithoragarh right now?

Alliance Air flies to Naini Saini Airport from Delhi and from Dehradun. Both routes use the same 42-seat plane. It flies from Delhi to Pithoragarh, then flies to Dehradun and back, and then returns from Pithoragarh to Delhi.

The Delhi route first started on 7 November 2024. The Dehradun route was stopped in October 2025 after about a year. It was restarted on 26 March 2026, when the Chief Minister flagged it off from Jolly Grant Airport near Dehradun. Officials then said the Dehradun flight takes about one hour.

From 1 September 2026, more days were planned: six days a week for Delhi and five for Dehradun. Bad weather and technical problems often upset this plan during the monsoon. From 27 October 2026, a new winter timetable began.

What is the current flight timetable?

Under the winter schedule from 27 October 2026, flights run five days a week. There are no flights on Friday or Sunday. These are the times at Naini Saini Airport as reported by Amar Ujala on 26 October 2026. They are not from the airline’s own timetable.

Flight times and days change often, sometimes at short notice. Before you book, confirm the current days and times on the Alliance Air website or app, and check again before you leave home. Fares are not fixed and change with demand, so check them at the time of booking.

How reliable are Pithoragarh flights?

Please plan for delays. In 2026 the flights were stopped several times:

• September 2026: Flights were stopped for about a week because of a technical problem. The Dehradun route was due back on 18 September and the Delhi route on 21 September.
• Early November 2026: Flights to Delhi and Dehradun were stopped for six days because of a technical reason. Service restarted on 10 November 2026.
• Monsoon months: Rain, cloud and strong wind cancelled many flights, especially from June to September.

There is also a reason linked to the land itself. The airport sits among hills, so planes can land from one direction only. When the wind is strong, landing is not safe and flights are cancelled. In one case in August 2026, a Delhi flight was pushed off course by the wind and could land only after it eased. The Dehradun flight that day was cancelled.

For a yatra, this means one simple rule: keep a spare day. Do not book a flight on the same day as a fixed permit date, a puja, or a train out of Tanakpur or Kathgodam.

Where is the airport and how far is it from town?

Naini Saini Airport is reported to be about 4 to 5 km from Pithoragarh town centre, so the drive into town is short. Ask your hotel or us to arrange a taxi in advance. The airport is small, with one runway.

The airport was handed to the Airports Authority of India. An agreement for this was signed on 9 November 2025. PTI reported in March 2026 that the airport is being developed at a cost of Rs 450 crore, and Amar Ujala reported a planned 53-hectare expansion that would end the one-way landing problem. No start date has been announced, and local land issues have been reported.

If flights are not running, Pithoragarh can be reached by road. The rail, Pantnagar and Delhi figures below are from the district website:

How far is Dharchula from Pithoragarh airport?

Dharchula is the main base town for the Adi Kailash and Om Parvat yatra. It is about 90 km from Pithoragarh by road, on the road that goes on towards Lipulekh. The drive usually takes about 3 to 4 hours, but landslides and roadwork can make it longer, so do not plan anything fixed for the same evening.

Most yatris land at Pithoragarh around midday, then drive to Dharchula the same day or the next morning. For road conditions and where to stay, see our Dharchula guide. For all distances on the route, see Adi Kailash distance guide.

Are there helicopter services from Pithoragarh?

Yes. Naini Saini Airport is also a helicopter base. Helicopter flights run under the government’s UDAN scheme:

• Pithoragarh to Munsyari: Launched on 1 October 2025 by Heritage Aviation, with two return flights a day, seven days a week, at launch.
• Pithoragarh to Haldwani: Reported by Amar Ujala as a daily service in 2026.
• Pithoragarh to Almora: Reported by Amar Ujala as a daily service in 2026.

The Haldwani link is useful for yatris coming by train to Kathgodam or Haldwani. Like the planes, helicopters often stop in bad weather. In late July 2026 bad weather stopped all three routes for two days in a row, and in September 2026 they were halted for three days. Seats are few, so book early.

There has also been a helicopter darshan of Adi Kailash and Om Parvat from Naini Saini Airport. It started on 1 April 2024 under the state’s Heli Darshan scheme. The helicopter flew over the peaks and came back without landing. It ran then on a trial basis, so ask us whether it is running for the coming season. Our Adi Kailash helicopter guide has more detail.

How do pilgrims use Pithoragarh airport for Adi Kailash?

The airport saves time on the long road from the plains. A common plan looks like this:

1. Fly in: Take the Delhi or Dehradun flight to Pithoragarh. It lands around midday.
2. Drive to Dharchula: Go by taxi to Dharchula, about 90 km and 3 to 4 hours away.
3. Get your permit: You need a permit for the Adi Kailash and Om Parvat area. Read the Adi Kailash permit guide before you go.
4. Go up the valley: Travel by road from Dharchula to Gunji and onwards for darshan.
5. Return: Come back to Pithoragarh and fly out, keeping a spare day in case of cancellation.

Elders and families with small children can fly one way and drive the other to cut road time. For every way to reach the area, including train and road, read how to reach Adi Kailash.

Tips for flying to Pithoragarh

• Book early. There is only one small plane on flying days, so seats are limited.
• Keep luggage light. Small planes often have tighter baggage rules, so check your ticket.
• Carry warm clothes in your hand bag. Hill weather changes quickly.
• Save a road plan. Note taxi and bus options in case your flight is cancelled.
• Check the flight status the evening before and again in the morning.

How Yatra To Temples can help

Our Pithoragarh Adi Kailash and Om Parvat helicopter yatra starts from Pithoragarh. For flight booking help, airport pick-up or a spare-day plan, ask us.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a direct flight from Delhi to Pithoragarh?

Yes. Alliance Air flies Delhi to Pithoragarh. Amar Ujala reported on 26 October 2026 that the winter schedule runs five days a week, with no flights on Friday or Sunday. Confirm the current days on the Alliance Air website before you book.

Is there a flight from Dehradun to Pithoragarh?

Yes. The Dehradun route was restarted on 26 March 2026 after a break of about six months. It uses the same Alliance Air plane as the Delhi flight, and the flying time is about one hour.

Are Pithoragarh flights running in November 2026?

Yes. Flights were stopped for six days in early November for a technical reason and restarted on 10 November 2026. Check the airline before you travel, as short breaks have happened several times this year.

How far is Naini Saini Airport from Pithoragarh town?

It is reported to be about 4 to 5 km from the town centre, a short taxi ride.

Can I fly straight to Dharchula or Gunji?

There is no regular scheduled flight to Dharchula or Gunji. Most yatris fly to Pithoragarh and then go by road to Dharchula, about 90 km away.

Why do Pithoragarh flights get cancelled so often?

The airport is in the hills, and planes can land from one side only. Strong wind, rain and low cloud make landing unsafe, and there have also been technical breaks. Keep a spare day in your yatra plan.

Is there a helicopter from Pithoragarh to Adi Kailash?

A helicopter darshan of Adi Kailash and Om Parvat from Naini Saini Airport began on a trial basis in April 2024. It flew over the peaks without landing. Ask us whether it is running for the season you plan to travel.

Which helicopter routes run from Pithoragarh?

Helicopters run from Pithoragarh to Munsyari, Haldwani and Almora under the UDAN scheme. They often stop in bad weather, so check before you go.