Shivamogga and nearby areas in the Malnad region of Karnataka will now become more easily accessible for regular travellers as commercial flight operations take off at the newly functional Shivamogga airport.
An IndiGo flight, starting from Bengaluru, touched down at the newly inaugurated Shivamogga Kuvempu airport. Notable dignitaries, including Karnataka Minister M B Patil and former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, were among the passengers, marking a milestone moment. The airport was officially inaugurated on February 27 this year. The flight from Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru took off at 9:55 am and touched down at Kuvempu Airport in Shivamogga at 10:45 am. This new development will make connectivity to nearby areas a lot better.
An aspect that distinguishes the Shivamogga airport is its unique operational model—it becomes the first airport in Karnataka to be operated and maintained by the state government, a task entrusted to the Karnataka State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation. This decision aims to facilitate air travel for citizens, as the Shivamogga airport will offer on-site air ticket booking facilities. In addition to this, Karnataka minister M B Patil has announced a subsidy of INR 500 per ticket to be extended for each purchase made at the airport for a duration of one year, enhancing accessibility to air travel.
The Kuvempu airport at Sogane, some 15 km from Shivamogga city, is a marvel of modern infrastructure development and was established at a cost of approximately INR 450 crore. Its passenger terminal building boasts the capacity to efficiently handle 300 passengers per hour, further underscoring the commitment to providing top-notch facilities and services to travellers.
The response to the newly started airport in Karnataka was resoundingly positive, with ticket bookings for the next three weeks witnessing robust demand as the locals and even other travellers embraced the newfound convenience of air travel. This new airport will improve connectivity and also boost tourism in and around the Shivamogga region. With regular flights running, there is also scope for regional development along with connectivity.
(With inputs from PTI)