**Executive Summary**
This document addresses questions regarding the current status, operational timelines, sustainability measures, and cargo/logistics plans for Moradabad Airport, as of December 4, 2025. It details the transition of flight operations from Flybig to Skyhop Aviation under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) and the support mechanisms in place to ensure sustainable flight operations. The document highlights that cargo facilities depend on various factors and airlines initiate cargo operations based on internal assessments of commercial viability.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Moradabad Airport Status:**
* Developed under the UDAN scheme.
* Licensed as a Category 2B airport.
* **Flight Operations:**
* Flybig previously operated RCS flights on the Moradabad-Lucknow route, starting August 10, 2024.
* Services discontinued from November 3, 2024, due to poor visibility and runway closures at Lucknow.
* Flybig assigned its contractual rights and obligations under RCS to Skyhop Aviation Private Limited on September 22, 2025.
* Skyhop Aviation is currently completing regulatory and operational requirements, including obtaining the AOC and acquiring aircraft.
* **Sustainability Measures:**
* The scheme offers financial support through Viability Gap Funding (VGF) and other concessions to airline operators.
* Airlines are granted three-year exclusivity on awarded routes.
* Periodic rebidding of discontinued routes and continuous coordination with key stakeholders.
* **Cargo and Logistics:**
* Development of cargo facilities depends on airport development progress, scheduled operations, handling capacity, and cargo demand.
* Airlines initiate cargo operations based on their assessment of cargo potential and commercial viability.
**Impact Analysis**
**Moradabad Airport:**
* **Impact:** The airport's operational status is currently transitioning from Flybig to Skyhop Aviation under the RCS scheme.
* **Action Required:** Support Skyhop Aviation in completing regulatory and operational requirements for flight commencement.
**Skyhop Aviation Private Limited:**
* **Impact:** Skyhop Aviation is assuming the contractual rights and obligations under the RCS scheme for Moradabad Airport.
* **Action Required:** Complete regulatory and operational requirements, including obtaining the AOC and acquiring aircraft, to commence flight operations.
**Airline Operators:**
* **Impact:** Eligible airline operators receive financial support through VGF and three-year route exclusivity to encourage long-term commitment.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the financial support and exclusivity to ensure sustained flight operations and consider internal assessments for cargo operations.
**Passengers:**
* **Impact:** May experience temporary disruptions in flight services during the transition from Flybig to Skyhop Aviation.
* **Action Required:** Stay informed on the status of Moradabad Airport operations.
**Government of India (Ministry of Civil Aviation):**
* **Impact:** Responsible for ensuring the development and sustainability of Moradabad Airport under the UDAN scheme.
* **Action Required:** Continue providing financial support, coordinating with stakeholders, and facilitating regulatory approvals to ensure the smooth transition and continued operation of the airport.
Key Entities Referenced
Lucknow: City where runway closures impacted flights from Moradabad Airport.
Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS): A scheme to enhance air connectivity to remote areas by providing financial support and incentives to airline operators.
UDAN scheme: Scheme under which Moradabad airport was identified and developed to improve regional air connectivity.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The ministry responsible for the development and regulation of civil aviation in India.
Moradabad Airport: The airport in question for which flight service status and development plans are inquired.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 782
th
(To be answered on the 4 December 2025)
FLIGHT SERVICES AT MORADABAD AIRPORT
782. SHRI MOHIBBULLAH
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:-
(a) the current status of Moradabad Airport;
(b) the time by which Moradabad Airport is expected to be fully operational and the
details of the plans for commencement of flight services;
(c) the measures being taken to ensure the airport's sustainability and to minimize
environmental impact; and
(d) the plans for providing cargo and logistics facilities at Moradabad Airport?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a) to (c): Moradabad airport was identified and developed under the UDAN scheme
and was licensed as a Category 2B airport.
Flybig began RCS flights on the Moradabad-Lucknow route on 10 August 2024 but
discontinued services from 3 November 2024 due to poor visibility and daytime
runway closures at Lucknow during resurfacing works.
On 22.09.2025, Flybig assigned and novated its contractual rights and obligations
under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) to the new entrant airline Skyhop
Aviation Private Limited. Skyhop is currently completing regulatory and operational
requirements, including obtaining the AOC and acquiring aircraft.To ensure the sustained flight operation, the scheme offers financial support in the
form of Viability Gap Funding (VGF) and other concessions to the airline operators.
Airlines are granted a three-year exclusivity on the awarded routes to encourage
long-term commitment.
Periodic rebidding of discontinued routes and continuous co-ordination with key
stakeholders is undertaken to resolve operational challenges.
(d): Development of cargo facilities depends on various factors such as airport
development progress, increase in scheduled operations, handling capacity, growth
in domestic cargo volumes and demand from airlines. The airlines initiate cargo
operations based on their internal assessment of cargo potential, handling
capabilities and overall commercial viability of operating from any airport.
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