SpiceJet to halt operations from Shivamogga airport from June 9

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Shivamogga airport has been handling commercial flights since August 2023. | Photo Credit: Sathish G.T.

Shivamogga airport has suffered another setback as SpiceJet suspended operations effective June 9. The suspension comes less than two months after IndiGo withdrew its Shivamogga-Bengaluru service on May 1.

SpiceJet commenced operations at Shivamogga airport in October 2024.

SpiceJet had been operating daily flights connecting Shivamogga to Hyderabad and Chennai. The airline suspended operations from June 2, initially citing maintenance concerns, but has now halted services through September 30, and ceased ticket bookings.

Both routes were operated under the Ude Desh ke Aam Nagarik (UDAN) scheme of the Ministry of Aviation, which subsidises regional air connectivity. SpiceJet had one-and-a-half years remaining on its UDAN contract.

According to officials, the route connecting Shivamogga and Hyderabad received a good response. However, multiple operational and financial pressures have forced the temporary suspension, according to sources.

An airport official attributed the withdrawal to several factors: rising fuel costs, operational challenges following the new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) regulations of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), insufficient aircraft to maintain services, and inadequate pilot strength to meet revised standards. Additionally, SpiceJet is relocating its operational base to the upcoming Noida International Airport at Jewar.

With SpiceJet’s exit, only Star Air continues to operate services to the airport, which was developed on 775 acres at a cost of approximately ₹450 crore. Star Air operates flights to Goa and Tirupati.

Shivamogga MP B.Y. Raghavendra criticised the response of government of Karnataka to the suspension of services by airlines. Mr. Raghavendra told mediapersons that the government of Karnataka had provided substantial subsidies up to ₹20-25 crore to support flight operations at Bidar and Kalaburagi airports. “T