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A view of a bridge over a river
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Kullu Manali Airport

Bhuntar, Himachal PradeshKUUVIBR· Gateway to the Himalayas soaring above the Beas Valley
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Kullu Manali Airport, officially known as Bhuntar Airport (IATA: KUU, ICAO: VIBR), is a high-altitude airport situated in the scenic Beas River valley at an elevation of 3,573 feet in Bhuntar, Himachal Pradesh. Serving as the primary air gateway to the twin tourist destinations of Kullu and Manali, the airport connects the Himalayan region with major Indian cities under the Government of India's UDAN regional connectivity scheme. Its single runway is flanked by steep mountain terrain, making approaches particularly challenging and subject to frequent weather-related disruptions.

Operator
Airports Authority of India
Opened
1990
Elevation
1089 m
Runways
1
Also known as
Bhuntar Airport
Region
North India
Distance to city
Approximately 10 km south of Kullu town and about 50 km south of Manali town centre.
annual passengers: Approximately 1.5–2 lakh passengers per year growth: Seasonal peaks during summer (May–June) and winter (December–January) tourist seasons drive significant passenger surges.
Official website Plan a trip to Bhuntar on TravelerPulse

Flights & airlines

Domestic destinations
DelhiChandigarh
Airlines serving this airport
Alliance AirSpiceJetIndiGo

Cargo: Limited cargo handling available for essential goods and perishables serving the Kullu-Manali region.

Terminal facilities

Terminal Building
A compact single-terminal building handling both departures and arrivals, equipped with basic check-in counters and baggage claim facilities.
Waiting Lounge
Air-conditioned seating area with limited food and beverage kiosks serving snacks and refreshments to passengers.
Car Parking
Surface-level parking area accommodating private vehicles, taxis, and tour operators' coaches adjacent to the terminal.
Pre-paid Taxi Counter
AAI-facilitated pre-paid taxi booth inside the terminal offering fixed-rate cab services to Kullu, Manali, and nearby areas.
ATM
At least one ATM is available within or near the terminal building for passengers' cash needs in the cash-preferred hill region.
Baggage Screening
Standard CISF-monitored security screening and X-ray baggage checking facilities in compliance with BCAS regulations.
Weather Monitoring Station
An on-site meteorological unit providing real-time mountain weather data critical to flight operations in this challenging terrain.

Getting to the airport

Pre-paid TaxiGovernment-regulated pre-paid taxis available at the terminal exit to Kullu, Manali, and Kasol.INR 400–1500 15–90 minutes depending on destination
Auto-rickshawLocal auto-rickshaws serve short distances to Bhuntar town and nearby Akhara Bazaar.INR 50–150 5–15 minutes
HRTC BusHimachal Road Transport Corporation buses ply from Bhuntar bus stand, reachable in a short walk, towards Kullu and Manali.INR 30–150 30–120 minutes
Private Car RentalSeveral local tour operators and aggregators like Ola offer outstation cabs bookable in advance for group travel.INR 1200–3000 20–120 minutes

Hotels near KUU

The HimalayanLuxury Resort
52 km from airport · INR 8000–18000 per night

Iconic hillside resort in Manali with panoramic valley views, managed by Oberoi Group.

Holiday Inn ManaliMid-range Hotel
50 km from airport · INR 4000–8000 per night

Well-appointed hotel near Manali town centre with modern amenities and mountain views.

Hotel Shobla InternationalMid-range Hotel
9 km from airport · INR 2000–5000 per night

Conveniently located near the airport in Kullu, popular with transit travellers and domestic tourists.

Span Resort & SpaLuxury Resort
40 km from airport · INR 7000–15000 per night

Riverside luxury resort in Katrain, halfway between Kullu and Manali, with spa and adventure activities.

Johnson's Hotel & CafeHeritage Boutique
48 km from airport · INR 3500–7000 per night

A charming colonial-era property in Manali town known for its heritage character and popular café.

Beyond the airport

Rohtang Pass Mountain Pass / Scenic Attraction
A world-famous high-altitude mountain pass at 13,050 feet offering snow experiences, skiing, and dramatic Himalayan vistas, accessible from Manali.
65 km away · best: May to October (road open); December–February for snow activities with permits required.
Great Himalayan National Park UNESCO World Heritage Site / Wildlife Sanctuary
A UNESCO-listed national park near Kullu harbouring snow leopards, Himalayan tahr, and over 375 fauna species across alpine meadows and glaciers.
30 km away · best: May to October
Hadimba Devi Temple Religious / Cultural Heritage Site
A revered 16th-century wooden temple in Manali dedicated to the goddess Hadimba, nestled within ancient deodar cedar forests, a key cultural landmark.
53 km away · best: Year-round; festival of Doongri in May is especially vibrant.
Kasol & Parvati Valley Nature / Adventure Travel
A scenic riverside hamlet in the Parvati Valley known for trekking routes to Kheerganga, Malana, and Pin-Parvati Pass, popular with backpackers and nature lovers.
30 km away · best: March to June, September to November
Kullu Dussehra Festival Grounds Cultural Festival Venue
Kullu is globally renowned for its week-long International Dussehra festival held on the Dhalpur Maidan, attracting lakhs of devotees and tourists with chariot processions.
10 km away · best: October (Dussehra, typically post-monsoon)

Travel tips

  • Always reconfirm your flight status the day before travel — poor visibility, fog, and mountain weather frequently cause cancellations or delays at Kullu Manali Airport.
  • Carry warm clothing in your hand baggage regardless of season, as Bhuntar sits in a valley where temperatures can drop sharply and weather is unpredictable.
  • Pre-book taxis to Manali in advance, especially during peak summer (May–June) and New Year holiday periods, as cabs are in high demand and prices surge.
  • Allow plenty of buffer time between your flight arrival and any onward trekking or adventure tour booking, given the high likelihood of weather-related delays.
  • Carry sufficient cash as ATM availability is limited beyond Kullu and Manali towns; many mountain villages and smaller eateries do not accept cards.
  • Altitude sickness can affect visitors heading up to Manali and Rohtang Pass — ascend gradually, stay hydrated, and avoid alcohol on arrival day.

Development: The Airports Authority of India has periodically explored proposals to extend the runway and upgrade terminal facilities at Bhuntar Airport to handle ATR-72 type aircraft more regularly and boost connectivity under the UDAN scheme. However, the challenging mountainous terrain significantly limits large-scale physical expansion of the airstrip.

Frequently asked questions

Bhuntar airport news

Kangra Airport Expansion Awaits 370 Acres of Land; Kullu Expansion Not Feasible: GovernmentIndian Aviation News Net · 2026-07-30 · expansionNCC hangar at Kullu airport clears final security inspectionThe Tribune · 2026-03-06Suba Hotels Limited launches Click Hotel, Bhuntar in Himachal Pradeshhospitality.economictimes.indiatimes.com · 2026-02-17 · routesHimachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu inaugurates heli taxi services from Shimla's Sanjauli HeliportThe New Indian Express · 2026-01-21 · expansionKullu-Chandigarh flights to boost tourism: Bizmen | Hindustan TimesHindustan Times · 2025-10-25Chandigarh gets direct air connectivity to Hisartimesofindia.indiatimes.com · 2025-10-25Alliance Air revives Kullu-Chandigarh flightsTravelBiz Monitor · 2025-10-23Education Dept urged to sign pact with AAI for operationalising Bhuntar airport hangarThe Tribune · 2025-10-19 · policy
More Bhuntar aviation news →

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Last verified 2026-09-11. Airport information changes — always confirm critical details with the airport or your airline. Source: IndianAirports.com airport directory. Found something outdated? Report incorrect information.