BENGALURU: Shivamogga, the first in Karnataka to be operated directly by the State Government through Karnataka State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (KSIIDC), airport completes two-years of successful operations and the airport is all set for upgradation for round-the-clock operations.

Owing to rise in demand for flight operations at the Shivamogga airport, Minister of Large and Medium Scale Industries M.B. Patil on Tuesday stated the airport is being upgraded for round-the-clock operations which includes installation of modern navigational aids to ensure safe and efficient flight operations during adverse weather conditions and at night.

Since the Shivamogga airport began operational two years back, Patil said the airport so far handled 2,400 flights with more than 1 lakh passengers and stated IndiGo Airlines operated more than 670 flights carrying nearly 31,500 passengers followed by Star Air running about 1,200 flights and served over 47,000 passengers. Patil said Spice Jet operated 530 flights ferrying about 25,000 passengers.

Shivamogga airport expanded connectivity rapidly under RCS-UDAN scheme, Patil said and stated the airport at Shivamogga connects major destinations such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Tirupati and Goa.

Patil stated “The overwhelming response from passengers and airlines reflects the region’s growth potential. With the planned upgrades, the State Government is committed to providing seamless connectivity with world-class safety and services.”