Bengaluru-Shivamogga UDAN route: Karnataka minister writes to Centre for revival
Synopsis
Shivamogga Airport has been grounded for months after IndiGo suspended the Bengaluru route due to losses. Now Karnataka Minister M. B. Patil is pushing the Centre to bring it back under UDAN's VGF framework — a make-or-break moment for air access across six districts in Malnad and Central Karnataka.
Key Takeaways
Karnataka Minister M.
Patil has written to Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu seeking inclusion of the Bengaluru–Shivamogga route in the UDAN bidding process.
Shivamogga Airport opened in February 2023 ; IndiGo operated the Bengaluru sector before suspending it due to financial losses.
Patil has requested Viability Gap Funding (VGF) support to make the route commercially viable for airlines.
Six districts — Shivamogga , Chikkamagaluru , Karwar , Davanagere , Chitradurga , and Haveri — are cited as direct beneficiaries.
Work on night-landing facilities at Shivamogga Airport is reportedly near completion; other infrastructure is already in place.
Karnataka Infrastructure Development Minister M. B. Patil has written to Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, urging the Centre to include the Bengaluru–Shivamogga air route in the upcoming UDAN bidding process. The move aims to restore flight services suspended for several months due to financial losses, with Patil arguing that air connectivity is essential for the economic and social development of the Malnad region and parts of Central Karnataka.
Background: How the Route Came to a Halt
Shivamogga Airport commenced operations in February 2023, following which IndiGo launched flights on the Shivamogga–Bengaluru sector. However, the service has remained suspended for the past several months, causing significant inconvenience to passengers across the region. The suspension is attributed to financial unviability on the route.
What the Minister Has Requested
In his letter, Patil requested that the Bengaluru–Shivamogga route be included in the proposed UDAN bidding process with support under the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) mechanism — a government subsidy that offsets operational costs for airlines flying on unserved or underserved routes. He noted that the absence of direct connectivity has hurt not only local commuters but also travellers seeking onward links to other domestic and international destinations.
Districts That Stand to Benefit
Patil's letter specifically highlights the economic importance of air connectivity for districts including Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, Karwar, Davanagere, Chitradurga, and Haveri. He argued that restoring the route would support growth across agriculture, tourism, and industrial sectors in these areas. Notably, these districts form a contiguous belt of Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns that have historically lacked robust air access.
Infrastructure Readiness at Shivamogga Airport
Patil pointed out that work on night-landing facilities at Shivamogga Airport is progressing rapidly, and that all other essential infrastructure is already in place. This positions the airport as ready for expanded operations once a carrier is brought on board through the UDAN framework.
What Is the UDAN Scheme
The UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme is the Centre's Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, designed to make air travel affordable and extend flight connectivity to unserved and underserved cities. Airlines operating under the scheme receive VGF support to keep fares subsidised without compromising safety. Since its launch, UDAN has connected remote, hilly, and island regions through conventional airports, heliports, and water aerodromes.
The Centre's response to Patil's request, and whether the Bengaluru–Shivamogga route features in the next round of UDAN bidding, is expected to determine the timeline for restoring services to the region.
Point of View
Yet IndiGo still found the economics untenable. If a Tier-1 carrier cannot make the Bengaluru–Shivamogga sector work even with subsidy, the Centre must ask whether the VGF quantum is calibrated correctly or whether the route needs a different operating model — perhaps a smaller turboprop operator rather than a full-service LCC. Patil's letter is politically necessary but operationally insufficient without a credible airline committed to the route. The real test is whether the next UDAN round attracts a bidder, not just a ministerial request.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the Bengaluru–Shivamogga flight service been suspended?
The service was suspended due to financial losses on the route. IndiGo, which operated flights after Shivamogga Airport opened in February 2023, found the sector commercially unviable, leading to the suspension that has persisted for several months.
What is the UDAN scheme and how can it help restore the route?
UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) is the Centre's Regional Connectivity Scheme under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, designed to connect unserved and underserved cities with subsidised airfares. Airlines on eligible routes receive Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to offset losses, which could make the Bengaluru–Shivamogga sector attractive for carriers again.
Which districts will benefit if the Bengaluru–Shivamogga route is restored?
According to Minister M. B. Patil's letter, the districts of Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, Karwar, Davanagere, Chitradurga, and Haveri stand to gain, with benefits spanning agriculture, tourism, and industrial connectivity.
Is Shivamogga Airport ready for resumed operations?
Yes, according to Patil, all essential infrastructure is already in place. Work on night-landing facilities is reportedly progressing rapidly, which would further expand the airport's operational window once a carrier is assigned.
What happens next after the minister's letter?
The Centre's response and the outcome of the upcoming UDAN bidding process will determine whether the Bengaluru–Shivamogga route is revived. Inclusion in the bidding round with VGF support would allow airlines to bid for the sector under the regional connectivity framework.
