Parliament Question: Flights from Shravasti Airport

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. : 556 ( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2nd April 2026 ) FLIGHTS FROM SHRAVASTI AIRPORT 556. DR. ANAND KUMAR Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government is aware that the regular flight service started between Shravasti and Lucknow under the Regional Connectivity Scheme has not been operational for the last few months and if so, the reasons therefor; (b) whether the Government is taking necessary steps to resume the said service at the earliest and if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government proposes to start direct flight services from Shravasti airport to metropolitan cities such as Delhi and Mumbai to provide direct air connectivity to passengers, devotees and traders from Shravasti, Bahraich, Balrampur and Gonda districts under Devipatan Division and if so, the details thereof; and (d) whether there is any proposal to provide need based viability gap funding or other incentives to airlines, to commence flight operations on the said routes and if so, the details thereof along with the proposed timeline and action plan in this regard? ANSWER Minister of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu) (a) to (d): A statement is laid on the table of the House. ******STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) to (D) IN RESPECT OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 556 FOR REPLY ON 02.04.2026 REGARDING 'FLIGHTS FROM SHRAVASTI AIRPORT ' ASKED BY DR. ANAND KUMAR. (a) & (b): Shravasti Airport was identified for development under the Regional Connectivity Scheme - Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN) and developed at a cost of Rs.32.84 crore. It is licensed as a Category 2B airport. M/s FlyBig commenced RCS flight operations between Shravasti and Lucknow on 12th March, 2024 with 19-seater type of aircraft. The airline discontinued services from 21.12.2024, due to poor visibility conditions. Additionally, resurfacing work at Lucknow Airport was being carried out in phases, with runway closures during daytime hours. Shravasti Airport supports only VFR (Visual Flight Rules) operations. On 22.09.2025, Flybig assigned and novated its contractual rights and obligations under the UDAN Scheme to the new entrant airline M/s Skyhop Aviation Private Limited for the continued operation of Shravasti-Lucknow-Shravasti route along with the other RCS routes connecting Shravasti with Kanpur, Varanasi and Prayagraj for the operation of RCS flights. The company is in the process of acquiring the Air Operator Permit from the DGCA. (c) & (d): RCS-UDAN is a market-driven scheme under which airline operators assess the feasibility of operating on specific routes and participate in the scheme through periodic bidding rounds. The selection of airlines is carried out through a transparent bidding process. Further, the Government has recently approved a Modified UDAN Scheme to connect 120 new destinations, serve 4 crore passengers over the next 10 years. The scheme will also support helipads and small airports in hilly, aspirational and North East region districts. To support airline operators and encourage sustained route development, the scheme continues the provision of Viability Gap Funding for Airline operators. Any valid proposal for RCS routes connecting eligible airports may be considered as per the provisions of the modified UDAN Scheme. *****