Lok Sabha Question No. 556 (STARRED), answered on 2026-04-02
Subject: Flights from Shravasti Airport
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Dr. Anand Kumar

## 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.

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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.

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