Karnataka's Regional Air Connectivity Hits Turbulence as UDAN Routes Dwindle
Nearly ten years after the ambitious UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme took flight to enhance regional air connectivity across India, Karnataka finds itself grappling with significant operational challenges. Out of the 42 routes originally selected for the state under this regional connectivity scheme (RCS), only 11 remain active today, exposing critical gaps in the program's long-term sustainability and implementation.
Subsidy Dependence and Route Discontinuation
The UDAN-RCS was specifically designed to link underserved and unserved regions through subsidies or viability gap funding (VGF), enabling airlines to operate on low-demand routes while maintaining affordable airfares for passengers. However, in Karnataka, numerous routes have vanished from the aviation map once financial support concluded, prompting industry associations and regional stakeholders to advocate for substantial policy revisions.
Beneficiaries and experts argue that the focus should extend beyond merely reviving defunct routes. Instead, they emphasize the urgent need to streamline the entire scheme to guarantee predictable and sustained air connectivity for regional communities.
Impact on Professionals and Regional Mobility
Shashikant B Patil, immediate past president of the Gulbarga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, highlighted the discontinuation of flight services to the district in October 2025. "The worst affected have been IT professionals who relocated to Bengaluru for employment opportunities," he stated. "These flights provided them with a vital link to return home for family gatherings, community events, and cultural connections. Tickets were available at a nominal Rs 2,500, but that affordable option disappeared when operations ceased."
Patil noted that one airline continued services for nearly a year even after VGF support ended in 2024. However, escalating ticket prices—rising to approximately Rs 5,000—rendered the route economically unviable. "All operations were finally shelved by October 2025. That marked the last flight to Bengaluru from our region," he recounted.
He further explained that while bureaucrats and politicians have since resorted to traveling via the neighboring Bidar district, located about 110 kilometers away, this alternative remains impractical for ordinary citizens. "This detour might be feasible for officials, but a regular resident of Kalaburagi cannot bear the additional financial burden and time investment. Effectively, mobility has been severely restricted," Patil added.
Persistent Challenges and Government Inaction
Patil revealed that delegations met with Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu in December 2024 and again in December 2025 to address these concerns. "On both occasions, we were informed about a shortage of aircraft and told that manufacturing would require another six months. The response has remained unchanged for two consecutive years," he expressed with frustration.
Aircraft shortages have also impeded the allocation of more commercially viable routes, according to Sanjeev Kattishetti, a managing committee member of the Belagavi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a director at FKCCI in Bengaluru. "Routes such as Pune—a major foundry hub—have not been allotted due to cited aircraft shortages," he pointed out.
Unpredictability Undermines Passenger Confidence
Kattishetti emphasized that even when routes are officially announced, schedule uncertainty continues to erode passenger confidence. Referring to the newly launched Jaipur–Belagavi service that commenced operations on January 26, he noted that unpredictability remains a persistent issue. "This pattern has also been observed for flights connecting Belagavi to Delhi, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru. Such unpredictability renders UDAN routes unviable, as passengers cannot depend on them for reliable travel," he asserted.
State Government Appeals for Extended Support
The Karnataka state government has formally raised these issues with the central authorities. In a letter to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) in December 2025, N Manjula, Secretary of the Infrastructure Development Department, requested an extension of VGF support from three years to five years. She highlighted that of the 42 routes sanctioned for Karnataka:
- 31 became inactive after completing three years of VGF
- 6 remained active with ongoing financial support
- Only 5 continued operations even after the financial assistance period concluded
Officials from the Infrastructure Development Department disclosed that the state has yet to receive any response from MoCA regarding these concerns. This silence further compounds the challenges faced by regional air travelers and stakeholders across Karnataka.
