Public representatives in Kolhapur are urging the Union Civil Aviation Minister to intervene following the decision to discontinue the direct flight between Kolhapur and Tirupati from December 14. The private airline operating the flight has opted for a connecting route via Hyderabad, leading to concerns among public figures.
Despite the direct flight service maintaining an impressive 80 percent load factor, authorities have chosen to alter the route. Critics argue that the new Hyderabad connection will inconvenience passengers, particularly devotees traveling between the two temple cities, with nearly 80 percent of passengers visiting the Mahalaxmi temple.
Congress MLC Satej Patil has written to Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, urging immediate intervention to prevent potential losses to both cities’ growth prospects. The daily direct flight, initiated in 2018, takes approximately 55 minutes and accommodates 76 passengers.
Aviation experts express concerns about increased travel time and potential negative impacts on the airport’s growth, especially amid ongoing major projects like runway extension and a new terminal building. The fate of the Kolhapur-Hyderabad-Tirupati route remains uncertain, raising questions about the convenience and efficiency of the altered service.
