The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Thursday said it is likely to announce the third phase of the regional air connectivity scheme, Udan, next month, reports the Financial Express.
The routes up for auction in this phase will include popular tourist destinations such as Mahabodhi temple in Bihar, Ajanta and Ellora in Aurangabad and Hampi in Karnataka, among others. “We are planning to invite bids for Udan-3 in September and announce successful bidders by October,” minister of state for civil aviation Jayant Sinha told reporters on Thursday.
The Ministry of Tourism had identified 12 tourist hotspots to connect under Udan. Under Udan, an airline can choose to serve the destinations on offer from anywhere depending on its traffic feasibility studies. In this scheme, fares are capped at Rs 2,500 for an hour-long flight for 50% of seats. The remaining seats can be sold at market rates.
Major domestic airlines like IndiGo, SpiceJet and Air India had won several routes on offer under the scheme. However, routes on major airports such as Delhi, Mumbai and Pune are unlikely to be available as they are facing capacity constraints.
Going by the report, if this phase of UDAN 3 includes only tourist destinations then it is very unlikely that Belagavi will make it to the list. However, even if it is included and being very positive on it, flights to metros like Delhi, Mumbai will not be included due to capacity constraints.
Currently there is one daily flight to Bengaluru by Air India (4 days)and Alliance Air (3days).
Sachin,
Before announcement our all district’s Political leaders , Businesses civilian start pressure fr UDDAN scheme in BELAGAVI.
Fist list only samartcity in Karnataka.
Wy not UDDAN scheme .. everybody start noise..!!!
I think we need to start again “Save IXG” campaign seriously.
Yes,it is needed now.At least Mumbai flight should be restored.
Minister of Civil aviation had promised about inclusion of Belagavi in UDAN 3 in Lok Sabha. They also promised to our local leaders when they met in N.Delhi. I feel our local leaders need to meet them again before they take announce it October. Otherwise we may loose the chance again.
Very sad Belgavi not included in UDAN scheme. Very strange Belgaum was full of flights flying to many destinations before UDAN was announced.
The only way could be… if Belagavi is included in Udan…and few flight routes from Hubli to/fro Mumbai and bengaluru could be moved and allotted to Belagavi. If we get morning and evening connectivity to Bengaluru and Mumbai…with Udan pricing policy… I think we are done.