Mysuru: Union Minister for Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu has assured that the Centre will take positive steps to strengthen air connectivity to Mysuru, with a focus on improving infrastructure and expanding flight options from the city.
Speaking at the first-ever Consultative Committee meeting of the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation held in Mysuru on Friday, Naidu acknowledged the need for better air connectivity to the heritage city and expressed confidence that Mysuru would receive greater attention in the aviation sector.
The Union Minister also appreciated Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar for consistently pursuing issues related to the city’s aviation infrastructure and connectivity. Naidu said he had instructed his office to immediately take up pending infrastructure and connectivity-related works.
Yaduveer seeks direct flights to major cities
During the meeting, MP Yaduveer submitted a memorandum to the Civil Aviation Ministry seeking stronger air connectivity from Mysuru.
He specifically urged the Ministry to introduce direct flights connecting Mysuru with major domestic destinations such as Mumbai, Kochi, Tirupati and Goa.
Yaduveer highlighted Mysuru’s importance as one of Karnataka’s major tourism and cultural destinations and said improved air connectivity could unlock significant growth opportunities across multiple sectors.
According to him, better flight connections would benefit tourism, trade, education, healthcare and investment while making it easier for residents and visitors to travel to Mysuru.
Direct connections to major aviation hubs could also provide passengers from Mysuru with more convenient access to other domestic and international destinations through connecting flights.
Airport expansion needs to be expedited
Yaduveer also urged the Union government to accelerate the ongoing expansion and modernisation works at Mysuru Airport.
He said the airport needs to be equipped to handle increasing passenger traffic and accommodate a wider range of flight operations. Completing the expansion work quickly would also help facilitate the operation of larger aircraft and support the introduction of additional routes.
The MP stressed that Mysuru’s aviation development should be guided by a long-term strategy rather than temporary measures to address connectivity gaps.
He called for a comprehensive aviation plan that takes into account the city’s future requirements, increasing tourism activity and its potential as an important economic centre in southern Karnataka.
Tourism sector expected to benefit
Mysuru attracts visitors throughout the year because of its heritage, palaces, cultural attractions and internationally recognised Dasara celebrations. The city has also emerged as an important destination for yoga and wellness tourism.
The surrounding region offers several scenic and cultural attractions, further strengthening Mysuru’s position on Karnataka’s tourism map.
Yaduveer said direct flights to cities such as Mumbai, Kochi, Tirupati and Goa could make travel more convenient for tourists while also benefiting local residents.
Improved connectivity could help increase tourist arrivals by reducing travel time and providing easier access to Mysuru from other parts of the country.
The hospitality sector, including hotels, restaurants, travel operators and other tourism-related businesses, could also benefit from increased passenger movement.
Potential boost for trade and investment
Better air connectivity could have benefits beyond tourism. Mysuru has a growing presence in sectors including manufacturing, education, healthcare, technology and services.
Improved connections with major commercial centres could make it easier for businesses, investors and professionals to travel to the city.
Yaduveer said stronger aviation links could create new opportunities for trade and investment while helping local enterprises connect with larger markets.
For students and patients, improved connectivity could also provide greater access to educational institutions and specialised healthcare services in other major cities.
At the same time, easier access to Mysuru could encourage companies and investors to explore opportunities in the city and surrounding areas.
Need for long-term aviation planning
The discussions at the meeting focused on the need to view Mysuru’s aviation requirements from a long-term perspective.
Rather than relying only on short-term flight arrangements, Yaduveer called for sustained efforts to establish Mysuru as a well-connected regional aviation centre.
The proposed direct connections with Mumbai, Kochi, Tirupati and Goa would expand the city’s network, while links to major aviation hubs could allow passengers to connect more easily with destinations across India and abroad.
The expansion and modernisation of Mysuru Airport would be an important component of such a strategy. Increased airport capacity, larger aircraft operations and additional routes would together help create a stronger aviation ecosystem for the city.
Centre gives assurance
Naidu’s assurance at the consultative committee meeting has raised expectations of renewed efforts to address Mysuru’s long-standing demand for improved air connectivity.
The Union Minister’s direction to his office to take up pending infrastructure and connectivity works immediately could help move several proposals forward.
For Mysuru, stronger air links could provide a significant boost to tourism, business, education and healthcare while strengthening the city’s position as a major destination in Karnataka.
The proposed connectivity improvements, coupled with airport expansion and a long-term aviation strategy, could help Mysuru realise its potential as an important regional air travel hub.