When small towns take flight

Karnataka airports face challenges and growth opportunities, with issues at Shivamogga Airport and plans for expansion across the state.

The licence to operate flights from Shivamogga Airport, issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), will expire on September 23 unless the Karnataka State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (KSIIDC) renews it. Authorities have raised safety concerns, and the renewal of the licence for Karnataka’s newest airport — inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 27, 2023 — depends on a meeting on September 18.

With nine airports, Karnataka ranks third in the country in terms of air passengers, after Delhi and Maharashtra. However, the issues at Shivamogga Airport highlight the challenges faced by some regional airports. In July, around 35.5 lakh domestic and international passengers travelled to and from Karnataka, with a total of 24,304 flights.

A significant contributor to this traffic is Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), which handled nearly 33 lakh passengers and 21,465 flights in July. However, airports in the State’s tier-2 and tier-3 cities have also grown, offering air travel to residents in the coastal, Malnad, Kittur Karnataka, and Kalyana Karnataka regions.

Some of these airports have benefited from the Union government’s UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme aimed at making air travel accessible and affordable for people, with airlines launching services on new, underserved routes. However, other airports face obstacles to their growth.

The Hindu looks at the current status of Karnataka’s airports, which are managed by the Airports Authority of India, public-private partnerships, the State government, and private entities.

Mangaluru International Airport, managed by Adani Airport Holdings Limited, connects to eight West Asian destinations (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Dammam, Bahrain, Doha, Kuwait, and Jeddah) and six domestic destinations (Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, and Delhi). Daily flight movements range between 40 and 42.

Precision approach lights are being installed to improve visibility for pilots. The airport’s 2,450-metre runway meets international standards, and it offers basic facilities such as food stalls, prepaid taxis, free Wi-Fi, and separate areas for domestic and international departures. Additional services, like Pranaam, provide dedicated staff to assist passengers.