By Rohit More 
Kolhapur-Mumbai flight fare has become a topic of concern as ticket prices have escalated beyond those of international routes, such as Mumbai to Dubai. This surge in fares contradicts the objectives of the Indian government’s UDAN scheme, which aims to make air travel affordable for the common citizen.
The Kolhapur-Mumbai flight service, launched in 2022 under the UDAN initiative, initially offered tickets at approximately ₹2,500. However, recent reports indicate that fares have soared to ₹17,000–₹18,000, making it more expensive than the Mumbai-Dubai route, which averages between ₹10,000 and ₹15,000.
This sharp increase has led many travelers to revert to alternative modes of transportation, such as trains and buses. The inflated fares have drawn criticism from local leaders. During the inauguration of the Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower at Kolhapur Airport, MP Dhananjay Mahadik and Guardian Minister Hasan Mushrif expressed their dissatisfaction directly to Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol. They highlighted that the high fares undermine the very purpose of the UDAN scheme.
In response, Minister Mohol acknowledged the issue and assured that steps would be taken to regulate the fares. The situation underscores the need for continuous monitoring to ensure that regional connectivity schemes like UDAN fulfill their intended purpose of making air travel accessible and affordable.
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