Karnataka BJP MP Iranna Kadadi on Friday raised the issue of declining air connectivity at Belagavi airport in the Rajya Sabha and urged the Centre to take strict action against airlines that have halted operations on profitable routes.
For more details : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/belagavi-airport-bjp-mp-urges-action-against-airlines-for-halting-operations-on-profitable-routes-3888694
Raising the matter during Zero Hour, Mr. Kadadi said that under the Udaan-3 scheme, Belagavi airport was initially connected to 13 cities through five airlines, but services have now been reduced to just five cities operated by two airlines. He alleged that airlines discontinue flights once viability gap funding or subsidies end, even when passenger demand remains high.
The MP pointed out that the airport handled 3.40 lakh passengers in 2024–25, registering a 9 per cent growth over the previous year. He added that load factors on key routes such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Hyderabad ranged between 85 and 95 per cent, indicating strong demand.
Questioning the logic behind stopping flights on profitable routes, Mr. Kadadi said Belagavi is a strategically important city bordering Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa, and houses major defence establishments along with educational, medical and industrial institutions.
He also noted that the Centre is expanding the airport with a new terminal building at a cost of ₹262.64 crore and an apron worth ₹25.98 crore. Urging the government to restore flights to cities including Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Indore and Jaipur, he said improved connectivity is essential for defence personnel and the general public.
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