The Kalaburagi Airport, built under the UDAN-RCS Scheme, is now open. The first flight from the new airport took off for Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) recently after the inauguration by the Chief Minister of the state.

Three flights per week will operate from Kalaburagi (Monday, Friday and Sunday). The Star Air flight will depart from KIA at 1220pm and land at Kalaburagi at 125pm. It will then take off at 155pm before reaching Bengaluru at 3pm.

The airport is spread across 742 acres and cost approx. Rs 176 crore to build. It is a DGCA licensed aerodrome for VFR/Day operations. With the opening of this airport, it paves the way for direct connectivity to northern Karnataka and other commercial centres. It will act as a gateway to places such as Gulbarga fort, Khwaja Banda nawaz dargah, Buddha Vihar, etc.

Till date, 230 routes and 42 airports have come under the UDAN scheme. The plan is to connect all states and Union Territories with around 700 routes in the coming years.