The airport was initially constructed to cater to the needs of tourist and pilgrim traffic to the region, but lay unused as air charter companies did not start operations to the area.
As of October 2024, it was reported that the IAF and MoD was in an advanced stage of talks with the State Government to take over or operate from 3 civilian airports, including the Gauchar, Pithoragarh Airport and Dharasu Airports. The IAF has plans to establish an airstrip in the Spiti region as well. All the airstrips are capable and have demonstrated to handle operations of the C-130Jspecial operations aircraft.[3]