**Executive Summary**
This document is an answer to Unstarred Question No. 913 in Lok Sabha regarding flights from Chitrakoot Airport, scheduled for December 4th, 2025. It addresses the discontinuation of air services, potential resumption, inclusion in the UDAN scheme, and plans for airport upgrades. The response indicates service discontinuation, the transfer of RCS rights to Skyhop Aviation, and the existing 2B category status of the airport, clarifying further development is under the purview of the Uttar Pradesh State Government.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Discontinuation of Air Services:**
* Chitrakoot Airport services, operated by Flybig Airlines between Chitrakoot and Lucknow, commenced March 12th, 2024.
* Services were discontinued in December 2024 due to operational challenges (poor visibility, daytime Lucknow Airport closure for runway re-carpeting, aircraft availability).
* **Resumption of Services:**
* Flybig has transferred its RCS rights and obligations to Skyhop Aviation Pvt. Ltd.
* Skyhop is fulfilling requirements for Air Operator Certificate and aircraft acquisition.
* RCS flights are expected to commence once prerequisites are met.
* **UDAN Scheme and Airport Development:**
* Chitrakoot Airport was developed under the UDAN scheme as a 2B category airport.
* The airport belongs to the State Government of Uttar Pradesh.
* Further development falls under the State Government's purview.
* Modernisation and capacity enhancement are ongoing based on land availability, viability, and traffic demand.
**Impact Analysis**
**Skyhop Aviation Pvt. Ltd.**
* **Impact:** Skyhop Aviation Pvt. Ltd. has acquired RCS rights and obligations for Chitrakoot Airport.
* **Action Required:** Fulfill regulatory and operational requirements, including obtaining an Air Operator Certificate and acquiring aircraft to commence RCS flights.
**Uttar Pradesh State Government**
* **Impact:** The State Government has purview over further development and modernisation of Chitrakoot Airport.
* **Action Required:** Assess land availability, viability, and traffic demand to decide on modernisation and capacity enhancement of the airport.
Key Entities Referenced
UDAN Scheme: A government scheme (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) focused on regional airport development and increasing connectivity in India.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation and administration of the rules, regulations and policies relating to civil aviation.
Chitrakoot Airport: An airport located in Chitrakoot, whose services were discontinued and potential re-inclusion in the UDAN scheme is being discussed.
Lucknow: City connected to Chitrakoot via RCS flights which discontinued due to operational challenges.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 913
th
(To be answered on the 4 December 2025)
FLIGHTS FROM CHITRAKOOT AIRPORT
913. SMT KRISHNA DEVI SHIVSHANKAR PATEL
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the air services at Chitrakoot Airport have been discontinued and no
regular air services are currently available and if so, the reasons therefor; (b) whether
the Government has conducted any inquiry or review in this regard and if so, the
details thereof;
(c) whether the Government is in discussion with any airline operator to resume
commercial flight services at Chitrakoot Airport and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government proposes to re-include Chitrakoot Airport under the
Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN) scheme or provide special incentives for
resumption of services and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the plan for upgrading runway, terminal building, night-landing or safety
facilities at the airport for resumption of flight operations and the likely timeline for
completion of such works?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a) to (d) : Chitrakoot Airport was identified and developed under the UDAN scheme
with RCS flight operations between Chitrakoot and Lucknow commencing on 12th
March 2024, by Flybig Airlines. However, the service was discontinued from
December 2024 due to various operational challenges such as poor visibility
conditions, daytime closure of Lucknow Airport for runway re-carpeting work,
aircraft availability etc.Flybig has novated its RCS rights and obligations to Skyhop Aviation Pvt. Ltd. for
continued operation of RCS routes connecting Chitrakoot. Skyhop is currently
fulfilling regulatory and operational requirements, including obtaining an Air
Operator Certificate and acquiring aircraft. RCS flights are expected to commence
once these prerequisites are met.
(e) : Under the UDAN Scheme, airports are developed with minimal essential
infrastructure, and Chitrakoot Airport has already been developed as a 2Bcategory
airport. The airport belongs to the State Government of Uttar Pradesh. Therefore,
further development falls under the State Government's purview. Modernisation and
capacity enhancement of airports is an ongoing process undertaken by airport
operators based on land availability, viability and traffic demand.
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