Shivamogga Airport Not for Sale, Says Karnataka Industrial Body Chief

The Karnataka State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (KSIIDC) has no current proposals to sell or transfer ownership of Shivamogga Airport to any private companies. Nanjayyana Math, the chairperson of KSIIDC, clarified that while an expression of interest was floated to gauge market interest, no definitive decisions regarding the handover of airport operations or assets have been made.

Airport Operations and Flight Connectivity

Currently, 33 agencies are involved in managing various aspects of the Shivamogga Airport. KSIIDC plans to regularly evaluate the performance of these agencies based on their contractual agreements. Despite recent challenges in the civil aviation sector due to events in West Asia, Star Air continues to operate flights connecting Shivamogga with Hyderabad, Tirupati, and Goa. Efforts are ongoing to establish new flight routes to Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune, and Mysuru, although attracting flight operators for these routes has been challenging. There is also interest from Star Air in resuming flight services to Bengaluru, with potential operations commencing by October.

Infrastructure Development

Work on providing night-landing facilities at Shivamogga Airport, initially slated for completion by the end of August, has been delayed due to rainfall. Approximately 80% to 85% of this work is complete, with an estimated one to one-and-a-half months remaining for finalization.

Hassan Airport Progress

Regarding the Hassan Airport project, progress has been hampered by delays in relocating electric towers obstructing the construction site. KSIIDC officers have met with the Deputy Commissioner of Hassan to review the situation. Initial estimates for shifting the towers have escalated, and the chairperson intends to conduct a further review to assess the project's advancement.

Key Facts

• There is no proposal to sell or hand over Shivamogga Airport to private agencies.
• An expression of interest was floated to assess market response for the airport.
• Currently, Star Air is the only airline operating flights from Shivamogga to Hyderabad, Tirupati, and Goa.
• Efforts are being made to launch flight connectivity to Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune, and Mysuru.
• Flights to Bengaluru may resume by October, with Star Air expressing interest.
• Night-landing facilities at Shivamogga Airport are approximately 80% to 85% complete and expected to finish in one to one-and-a-half months.
• Progress at Hassan Airport is delayed due to issues with shifting electric towers.