JAISALMER: In a significant development for Rajasthan’s tourism sector, May 3, 2026, will mark a historic milestone in the air connectivity of Jaisalmer, a world-famous tourist destination. For the first time, flight services—so far limited to the winter season—will operate during the summer as well, under a unique public participation model.Originally conceptualized in January 2021 by then district collector Ashish Modi, the “Jaisalmer Model” is being reimplemented to enable year-round air connectivity. Under this initiative, Alliance Air will start operating flights between Jaisalmer and Jaipur twice a week from May 3. This move is expected to break the perception of Jaisalmer as merely a seasonal tourist destination and attract visitors even during the summer months.It is noteworthy that flight services to Jaisalmer were suspended on January 28, 2021, due to low passenger load. To revive the services, tourism businessmen and the general public decided to bear potential losses of the airline to safeguard the region’s tourism industry. Under the “Jaisalmer Model,” local stakeholders pooled funds and provided a bank guarantee of Rs84 lakh to SpiceJet, following which flight operations resumed on February 12, 2021.According to Airport Authority official Anil Jajoria, a 70-seater aircraft will operate every Sunday and Thursday. The flight will depart Jaipur at 9:20am and arrive in Jaisalmer at 11:05am. It will then depart from Jaisalmer at 11:30am and reach Jaipur at 1:15pm. Online bookings for these flights have already begun, and passengers will also have access to connecting flights to major cities via Jaipur.District Collector Anupama Jorwal said that continuous efforts were made by the administration to ensure flight operations during the summer. Meetings were held with tourism entrepreneurs, hotel operators, industrialists, and social organizations to assess readiness for year-round tourism, to which all stakeholders responded positively.She added that to address the airline’s financial concerns, a solution was devised, leading to the revival of the “Jaisalmer Model,” where the city itself becomes a partner in airline operations. Notably, this model is not based on any formal MoU but operates on mutual trust and collective commitment.For now, flights will run twice a week between Jaisalmer and Jaipur, with efforts underway to extend services to New Delhi. To ensure viability, local businesses and institutions have committed to purchasing a fixed number of tickets every month, while hotel owners and tour operators have assured steady bookings.Tourism entrepreneur Mayank Bhatia, who played a key role in implementing the model, said that while Jaisalmer’s summer days are extremely hot, its nights continue to attract tourists. Destinations like Sam Sand Dunes and Khuri offer unique experiences, including desert camps, folk music, camel safaris, and stargazing. Lower off-season hotel rates are also expected to boost budget tourism.With improved connectivity, tour operators will now be able to design summer packages more effectively. The initiative will benefit not only tourists but also locals, armed forces, Air Force, BSF personnel, corporate travelers, and NRIs.Tourism businessman Vimal Gopa noted that for years, flight services in Jaisalmer remained restricted to winters due to high temperatures, low passenger demand, and financial risks. Each time services stopped, the tourism-driven local economy slowed down, affecting hotels, resorts, desert camps, travel agencies, and folk artists. However, with this renewed effort, the city aims to transform into a year-round tourism hub.The resumption of air services is expected to generate employment opportunities for local youth and benefit sectors such as hospitality, transport, tour guiding, handicrafts, folk arts, and food businesses.
