Passengers arrive to board Ludhiana-Delhi flight as part of the Union government’s UDAN scheme. (Photo by Gurpreet Singh/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
Passengers arrive to board Ludhiana-Delhi flight as part of the Union government’s UDAN scheme. (Photo by Gurpreet Singh/Hindustan Times via Getty Images) 
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From 3,600 to 45,000 Passengers Per Month: Hubbali’s UDAN Success Story

BySwarajya Staff

Hubballi, located in central Karnataka is among the most successful examples of central government’s UDAN scheme as it has witnessed nearly 45,000 passengers arriving and departing in the month of July alone. Data for the month of August has not yet been announced, but it is predicted that the numbers remain closely same.

After three months of UDAN’s launch, regional connectivity has drastically shot up, and Hubballi airport has handled 435 flight movements, with 15,600 passengers. In June, the airport witnessed 426 flight movements with about 28,000 passengers.

How was it before UDAN?

Before the launch of UDAN scheme, just one flight used to take off with two movements in a day, carrying just about 3,600 passengers per month.

“We knew that Hubballi had huge potential. But, I never imagined that the airport would handle more than 45,000 passengers per month,” said Dharwad MP Pralhad Joshi speaking to Deccan Herald.

At present, connecting flights to Bengaluru and Mumbai are in great demand, but due to shortage of slots, they are being limited to three a day.

Indigo and Spice Jet has been given permission to ship 25 kilos of goods, but security measures will have to be in place for heavier goods, then the airport shall see a greater scope for cargo goods.