Shivamogga Airport, the second biggest airport in Karnataka, commenced operations with the first domestic flight arriving from Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on Thursday. The airport which was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi on February 27 started flight services from August 31. The airport built at the cost of Rs 450 crore was named after Kannada poet Rastra Kavi Kuvempu.
The maiden flight was taken by Minister MB Patil, former CM BS Yediyurappa, Shivamogga MP BY Raghavendra and others to this district headquarters.
Talking to reporters before boarding the flight, Infrastructure Development Minister Patil hailed it as a "historic moment".
He said that there was a good demand and tickets were booked three weeks in advance, as per PTI.
The Union Minister said that the flight operations will boost the growth of Malnad region and ensure academic, economical and all round development in the region.
He said Chikkamagaluru, Haveri, Davanagere districts will also benefit from the flight service.
The Minister told IANS, "Once the night landing is ensured, there will be more connections. The tenders have already called for operation of flights to various cities including Goa."
Former Karnataka CM Yediyurappa took the opportunity to thank the farmers. The BJP leaders also made it a point to make arrangements for farmers to travel with them on the flight.
Yediyurappa said that it was a day of celebration. He said, as per IANS, "All the credit for this should go to the farmers of the region, for not creating problems at any stage from the acquisition of agricultural land to any stage during building of this airport."
He said that Shivamogga was the second biggest airport in the state.