Shivamogga MP Appeals for Enhanced Air Connectivity to Aviation Minister

Shivamogga Member of Parliament B.Y. Raghavendra has formally requested the Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu, to bolster air connectivity for Shivamogga. The appeal was made during a meeting in Delhi on Tuesday, where the MP presented a comprehensive overview of concerns related to the Shivamogga airport.

What Happened

The central focus of the MP's request was to secure approval for Star Air to initiate services between Shivamogga and Bengaluru. Star Air has proposed to begin these flights on October 15 of this year. Additionally, Mr. Raghavendra sought the continuation of Star Air's existing routes connecting Shivamogga with Hyderabad, Tirupati, and Goa. These services, which began in November 2023, are currently supported by the RCS-UDAN scheme for a three-year period concluding in November 2026. The MP also urged the Minister to expedite the installation of the Doppler Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (DVOR) navigation system at the airport, with civil works for its building nearing completion.

Background

Direct flights between Shivamogga and Bengaluru were previously operated by IndiGo but ceased on May 1 of this year, leaving the region without a direct air link to the State capital. The current Star Air services to Hyderabad, Tirupati, and Goa are operating under the RCS-UDAN scheme's financial support, which is set to end in November 2026.

Key Facts

• Shivamogga MP B.Y. Raghavendra met Union Minister for Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu in Delhi on Tuesday.
• The MP requested approval for Star Air to commence Shivamogga-Bengaluru services, proposed to start October 15.
• IndiGo previously operated the Shivamogga-Bengaluru route but stopped services from May 1 this year.
• The MP sought continuation of Star Air's Shivamogga-Hyderabad, Shivamogga-Tirupati, and Shivamogga-Goa services beyond November 2026.
• These current Star Air services have been operating since November 2023 under the RCS-UDAN scheme.
• The MP also urged for the expedited completion of the DVOR navigation system at Shivamogga airport.
• The Union Minister reportedly responded positively to the MP's requests.