Karnataka govt. extends viability gap funding of ₹28.47 crore to resume flights from Bengaluru to Bidar, Kalaburagi

The Karnataka government is extending viability gap funding of ₹28.47 crore to support and resume flight services from Bengaluru to Bidar and Kalaburagi, the district headquarters of Kalyana Karnataka region, said Infrastructure Development Minister M.B. Patil on Friday.

According to him, Star Air (Ghodawat Enterprises Limited) will operate flights on the Bengaluru–Bidar–Bengaluru and Bengaluru–Kalaburagi–Bengaluru sectors from June 1 and 10, respectively.

Mr. Patil said the flight service to Kalaburagi had earlier been suspended owing to financial losses. In the case of Bidar, services were being operated with special support from the Kalyana Karnataka Regional Development Board.

Taking into account the growth of industries, education, tourism, agriculture and commercial activities in Kalyana Karnataka, the government has decided to revive the services under the regional air connectivity initiative, the Minister said.

He further said the government was committed to enhancing air connectivity to tier-2 and tier-3 cities across the State. Such initiatives would not only accelerate regional economic growth but also contribute to infrastructure development, he noted.

Mr. Patil had recently held several rounds of discussions with ministerial colleagues from the Kalyana Karnataka region and representatives of various airline companies regarding the resumption of flight services.