More flights to be operated from Hubballi in coming weeks

Hubballi: Even after the easing of restrictions, airports in tier-2 cities such as Hubballi witnessed very little activity. However, after three months, things are looking up and more flights are expected to take wing in the coming fortnight.
Prior to the imposition of the lockdown, Air India, IndiGo and Star Air had been operating nearly 10 daily flights to and from Hubballi, with most of the traffic directed towards Bengaluru and Mumbai. However, when the restrictions were eased in May, the flight traffic at the airport was 30% of what it had been prior to the lockdown. Flights were being operated only to and from Kannur and Bengaluru.
Sources said that Star Air is eager to recommence services between Hubballi and Delhi (Hindon), and Bengaluru from August 16. The flights to and from the capital will be operated four days a week: Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.
Sources in IndiGo said that, having commenced operations between Hubballi and Bengaluru, and Kannur, the airline is now prepared to run flights to Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Kochi, Chennai, Mangaluru and Goa from August 25.
Director of Hubballi Airport Pramod Kumar Thakare confirmed to STOI that more flights would be operated from the terminal soon. “IndiGo and Star Air have already started booking tickets for their flights scheduled later this month. We are confident that more flights will be in the air from Hubballi by the end of the month,” said Thakare, seeking to assure the public of all the necessary precautionary measures having been adopted at the airport to ensure the safety of passengers.
Sources at the airport said that response to flight services to Bengaluru and Kannur from Hubballi had been quite encouraging.