KARNATAKA PROVES DOUBTERS WRONG AS AVIATION SCHEME OPENS SEVEN AIRPORTS, LINKING 118 ROUTES
BENGALURU, India – August 16, 2025:Karnataka’s doing great with the Central Government’s regional flight plan, Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN). Now, seven airports are up and running, with flights connecting 118 local routes all over the country. Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said in the Rajya Sabha that this shows how much easier and widespread flying has become, helping out smaller towns and places that weren’t served before. The airports in Bidar, Mysuru, Vidyanagar, Hubbali, Kalaburagi, Belagavi, and Shivamogga have spent a total of ₹146.89 crore to help keep ticket prices down for regular folks.
This is a big deal for Karnataka, which has been wanting better flight options within the state and to other places. UDAN hasn’t just fixed up old runways but also helped build new aviation stuff, which should boost business and tourism.
The Seven Airports That Are Open and How They Help
The seven airports in Karnataka that are now part of the UDAN program show how far the plan reaches. The Bidar airport, part of an Indian Air Force base, now links to cities like Bengaluru. Because of the program, this historic and industrial area is now open to air travel for the first time.
Plus, the airports in Mysuru and Hubbali are helping two of Karnataka’s most important cities connect better. Mysuru gets lots of tourists, so better flight options will help it grow. Hubbali is a business center for North Karnataka, and these new routes should speed things up.
The Kalaburagi and Belagavi airports are also key to UDAN’s success. They’re in good spots in North Karnataka and serve lots of people, so they’ve been tagged as places that need better flight options. Flights from these airports are now hooking up areas that used to be far away from everything to the national air system, saving time and money for people going to work or traveling for business.
The Vidyanagar (Ballari) airport, which is owned by a private company, and the Shivamogga airport, which just opened, are also on the list. Having a private airport shows that the program can work with all sorts of setups. Shivamogga started its first flights as part of UDAN, connecting it to big cities and other local hubs.
A Flight Plan Based on What People Want
UDAN gives airlines a reason to start flights to smaller cities and areas. It helps pay for some of the airlines’ costs so that ticket prices stay low. The ₹146.89 crore spent in Karnataka shows how serious the government is about making these routes stick around.
The success of UDAN in Karnataka also tells us that it is important for the Central and State governments to team up. The minister said that the Ministry of Civil Aviation wants the state government to agree and set aside space to build even more airports. This means giving land for free, which shows how important state support is to make the program work.
What’s next?
Even though things are going well, there are still some problems. Minister Mohol said that no one has bid to use the airstrips in Kushalnagar, Raichur, and Hassan. The ministry and the state government are trying to sort things out, often because it’s hard to get land and approval. How long airport projects take depends on lots of things, and officials say they’re ready to tackle whatever comes up.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation is also moving forward with UDAN 5.2, which has gotten bids to fly small planes from the airstrips in Ballari and Kolar. This means they’re still trying to get more of the state’s airports into the UDAN system. The focus on smaller planes also means they’re trying to connect even more remote spots with fewer people traveling.
UDAN is already changing Karnataka’s economy, helping tourism and business in areas that used to be cut off. Having seven airports and 118 routes isn’t just a number; it’s a real step toward a Karnataka that’s more connected, easy to get around, and doing well economically. It shows how a well-planned government program can help people come together and change lives by making it possible for anyone to fly.
