**Summary:**
This document addresses Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 71, concerning the non-operation of flights from Devangana Airport in Chitrakoot (Banda Lok Sabha Constituency) after the Kumbh event.
**Key Points:**
* **Airport Development:** Chitrakoot Airport was developed under the Regional Connectivity Scheme-Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN) at a cost of Rs. 32.79 crore and is licensed for 2BVFR operations.
* **Previous Operations:** RCS flight operations between Chitrakoot and Lucknow, operated by Flybig Airlines, commenced on March 12, 2024, but were discontinued on December 15, 2024.
* **Reasons for Discontinuation:** The service was discontinued due to poor visibility conditions and daytime closure of Lucknow Airport for runway recarpeting.
* **Resumption of Operations:** Resumption of operations is contingent on the completion of recarpeting work at Lucknow Airport.
* **International Flights:** There is no current proposal to commence international operations from Chitrakoot Airport, as it is designed for domestic flights catering to small aircraft (19 seats or less).
* **Future Domestic Connectivity:** RCS routes connecting Chitrakoot to Prayagraj, Varanasi, Kanpur, and Khajuraho have been awarded to Flybig Airline under the RCS-UDAN Scheme.
* **Cargo Operations:** Currently, there is no cargo terminal at Chitrakoot Airport, and no demand has been received from domestic airlines for cargo services.
* **Airline Autonomy:** Post the repeal of the Air Corporation Act in 1994, airlines have the freedom to induct capacity, select markets, and determine networks. Introduction of cargo services depends on the airline operator's assessment of operational and commercial viability.
Key Entities Referenced
Krishna Devi Shivshankar Patel: A member of parliament who asked the starred question.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The government ministry responsible for civil aviation in India.
Devangana Airport: The airport in Chitrakoot district of Banda Lok Sabha Constituency, Uttar Pradesh, that is the subject of the question.
Chitrakoot district, Uttar Pradesh: The district in Uttar Pradesh where Devangana Airport is located.
Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu: The Minister of Civil Aviation who provided the answer.
Regional Connectivity Scheme-Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN): A government scheme to enhance regional air connectivity and make air travel affordable.
Flybig Airlines: The airline that operated flights between Chitrakoot and Lucknow under the RCS-UDAN scheme.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. : 71
th
(To be answered on the 24 July 2025)
NON-OPERATION OF FLIGHTS
*71. SMT KRISHNA DEVI SHIVSHANKAR PATEL
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) the reasons for non-operation of flights from Devangana Airport in
Chitrakoot district of Banda Lok Sabha Constituency post the Kumbh event;
(b) the time by which the operation of international flights from Devangana
Airport is likely to be achieved;
(c) the details of the number of domestic flights currently operated or
proposed to be operated to connect Chitrakoot with other parts of the
country;
(d) whether cargo aircrafts are also likely to be operated from the said airport
in order to make it commercially viable; and
(e) if so, the details thereof along with the time by which it is likely to be
started?
ANSWER
Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu)
(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the table of the House.
*****STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (E) IN
RESPECT OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 71 FOR REPLY
ON 24.07.2025 REGARDING NON-OPERATION OF FLIGHTS ASKED BY
SMT KRISHNA DEVI SHIVSHANKAR PATEL
(a): Chitrakoot Airport was identified for development under the second
round of bidding of the Regional Connectivity Scheme-Ude Desh ka Aam
Nagrik (RCS-UDAN). The airport has been developed at a cost of Rs.32.79
crore and is licensed for 2B-VFR operations. Under the UDAN scheme, RCS
flight operations between Chitrakoot and Lucknow commenced on 12th
March 2024, operated by Flybig Airlines. However, the service was
discontinued on 15th December 2024 due to two key operational challenges:
poor visibility conditions and the daytime closure of Lucknow Airport for
runway re-carpeting work. The resumption of operations is subject to the
completion of the ongoing re-carpeting work at Lucknow Airport.
(b): Chitrakoot Airport is a domestic airport catering to small aircraft (19
seater or less) operations. Presently, there is no proposal for commencing
international operations from this airport.
(c): RCS routes connecting Chitrakoot to Prayagraj, Varanasi, Kanpur and
Khajuraho have been awarded to Flybig Airline under the RCS-UDAN
Scheme.
(d) & (e): At present there is no cargo terminal at Chitrakoot Airport and no
demand has been received from domestic airlines for the same. With the
repeal of the Air Corporation Act in March 1994, Indian domestic aviation
was totally deregulated. Airlines are free to induct capacity with any aircraft
type, free to select whatever markets and network they wish to service, slots
allocated by the respective airport operators and further approval of schedule
from the DGCA. Hence, it is up to the airline operator to consider the
introduction or continuation of cargo services to/ from any airport in the
country, depending on their operational and commercial viability.
*****