Introduction
In a major setback to regional air connectivity efforts, seven airports in Uttar Pradesh have suspended commercial flight operations due to poor passenger turnout and low airline interest, officials confirmed on Monday.
The move comes as part of a broader challenge facing India’s UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) regional connectivity scheme, under which several small-town airports were developed to boost intra-state air travel.
Airports Affected
The airports currently without scheduled commercial flights include:
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Bareilly
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Aligarh
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Azamgarh
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Chitrakoot
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Shravasti
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Moradabad
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Sonbhadra
According to the Uttar Pradesh Civil Aviation Department, these facilities remain operational for administrative, training, and emergency use, but airlines have withdrawn regular passenger services due to sustained low load factors.
Reasons for Suspension
A senior official from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) said that most routes under the UDAN subsidy model failed to achieve commercial viability.
“While the infrastructure was ready and functional, the passenger demand from smaller towns didn’t match expectations. Many routes operated with less than 30% occupancy,” the official said.
Industry insiders cite multiple reasons:
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Lack of public awareness about regional flights.
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Poor last-mile connectivity to airports located far from city centers.
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High operational costs for small aircraft.
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Preference for road or rail travel, which remains cheaper and more convenient for short distances.
Airlines Pull Out
Regional carriers such as Alliance Air, FlyBig, and Star Air, which were operating subsidized flights, have either reduced frequency or completely pulled out of several routes.
Some operators reportedly sought government support for route restructuring or extended viability gap funding but did not receive approval.
Government Response
A senior official from the Uttar Pradesh Civil Aviation Department said the state government is in talks with the Ministry of Civil Aviation to revive flight services in select sectors.
“We are re-evaluating route potential and exploring tie-ups with low-cost carriers for sectors that connect to Lucknow, Varanasi, and Delhi. The idea is not to let the infrastructure go underutilized,” the official said.
The government is also considering a public-private partnership (PPP) model to attract new airlines and improve airport connectivity through better ground transport.
Economic Impact
The suspension of flights has dealt a blow to tourism and local trade in regions such as Shravasti (a Buddhist pilgrimage site) and Chitrakoot (a major Hindu religious destination).
Local business associations have urged authorities to restore at least weekly or seasonal flights, especially during peak pilgrimage seasons.
“Air connectivity was beginning to change local tourism dynamics. With flights suspended, travelers are again forced to take long road journeys,” said Ramesh Mishra, president of the Chitrakoot Chamber of Commerce.
The Bigger Picture
Under the UDAN scheme, launched in 2016, over 70 airports across India were revived or newly constructed to bring air travel within reach of smaller towns. However, sustainability remains a major hurdle.
Experts believe that regional aviation in India needs structural reform, including better coordination between states, subsidies tied to performance, and stronger marketing to build demand.
“Infrastructure alone doesn’t guarantee success. Airlines need economic incentives, and passengers need reasons to fly,” said aviation analyst Ameya Joshi.
Conclusion
While Uttar Pradesh continues to invest in aviation infrastructure—with major projects like Jewar International Airport nearing completion—the failure of smaller airports to sustain flights highlights the uneven growth of India’s aviation sector.
