BANGALORE: Shivamogga Airport, situated in Karnataka, is all set to initiate its operations on August 31st, with the first domestic flight scheduled to touch down in this central Karnataka town. The airport, named in honor of the esteemed Kannada poet Kuvempu, was formally inaugurated on February 27th by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The inaugural flight, operated by IndiGo, will take off from Bangalore's Kempe Gowda International Airport at 9:50 am, making its arrival at Shivamogga Airport at 11:05 am. Notably, prominent individuals on this flight's passenger list include state ministers MB Patil and Madhu Bangarappa, former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, MP BY Raghavendra, and other public representatives from the Malnad region. It's noteworthy that Shivamogga Airport stands as the first airport under the jurisdiction of the state government.

Speaking about the initial response, Karnataka Minister MB Patil mentioned that there has been a positive reception for the flight service, with tickets already booked for the upcoming three weeks.

Shivamogga becomes the sixth destination for IndiGo within Karnataka, joining the ranks of Bangalore, Mysore, Mangaluru, Hubballi, and Belagavi. This direct flight route aims to enhance intrastate connectivity, while also linking Shivamogga to crucial domestic and international destinations through the gateway of Bangalore.

Built across a sprawling 663-acre expanse and requiring an investment of Rs. 449.22 crore, Shivamogga Airport's foundation was laid in June 2020 by former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa. The Passenger Terminal Building at the airport has been intelligently designed to cater to 300 passengers per hour.

Marking the ninth domestic airport in Karnataka, it finds company among the state's existing domestic airports located in Bangalore, Mysuru, Ballari, Bidar, Hubballi, Kalaburagi, Belagavi, and Mangaluru. Notably, Bangalore and Mangaluru house the state's two international airports.

Standing out with the distinction of the second-longest runway in Karnataka at a length of 3,200 meters, Shivamogga Airport trails only Kempe Gowda International Airport in this regard. Its infrastructure is tailored to accommodate aircraft such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, with the capability of handling approximately 200 passengers during peak operational hours.

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