Nine New Airports Set to Transform Uttar Pradesh’s Aviation Landscape in Two Years
In a significant announcement during the Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha, Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia unveiled ambitious plans for Uttar Pradesh’s aviation sector. Highlighting the government’s commitment to bolstering civil aviation, Scindia revealed plans for the construction of nine new airports in the state over the next two years.
Underlining the transformative strides made under the Modi administration, Scindia noted that while a mere six airports were developed in Uttar Pradesh in 65 years, the current government aims to amplify this number significantly. With the addition of nine upcoming airports, the state is poised to see a substantial increase, bringing the total count to 18, marking a substantial leap forward in aviation infrastructure.
Addressing inquiries about specific projects, Scindia shed light on the Meerut airport’s progress. He indicated that operations utilizing Visual Flight Rating (VFR) with ATR aircraft could commence upon the allocation of an additional 115 acres of land by the state government. Emphasizing the strategic role of the Meerut airport, he clarified its identification during the third round of bidding under the UDAN scheme, affirming plans for the development and operation of RCS (Regional Connectivity Scheme) flights.
However, Scindia stressed that while the Meerut-Lucknow-Meerut route had been awarded to FlyBig under UDAN 4.2, the operations were designated for 19-seater aircraft with a frequency of 133 seats per week, not specifically for ATR 72 aircraft. He underscored the necessity for the airport to be licensed before the commencement of RCS flights, indicating the progression toward operational readiness.
The announcement of the expansion of Uttar Pradesh’s aviation network with the construction of nine new airports signifies a substantial stride toward bolstering connectivity and infrastructure development in the state, poised to catalyze economic growth and accessibility for its residents.
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