Spirit Air has formally announced its plans to launch air services in Bihar. Under the Regional Connectivity Scheme, the company will commence flights from cities like Madhubani, Saharsa, and Muzaffarpur. The plan includes domestic as well as international flights to Nepal.
On August 6, 2025, Spirit Air announced its plan to expand its air services in Bihar, under which domestic and international flights will be launched from the state's newly developed airports. This announcement was made under the central government's Regional Connectivity Scheme 'UDAN'. In the first phase, the company will connect cities like Birpur, Saharsa, and Madhubani to Delhi, Mumbai, and Varanasi. Spirit Air has described this plan as a step towards promoting aviation development and regional employment in Bihar.
Cities to be Connected by Flights
The cities from which Spirit Air plans to start flights include Birpur, Saharsa, Munger, Madhubani, Muzaffarpur, Raxaul, Valmiki Nagar, and Bihta in Bihar. All these airports are being developed at the regional level.
In the first phase, these airports will be connected to major cities. Specifically, direct or connected flights will be available from major cities like Varanasi, Delhi, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad. This is expected to boost traffic, trade, and tourism in these regions.
Major Connections to Start from Varanasi and Bangalore
According to Spirit Air's plan, Varanasi will be developed as a major hub in the first phase. From here, there will be connections to Delhi, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad. After this, Bangalore will be used as the second hub, from where connectivity will be provided to southern cities like Hyderabad and Chennai.
In the third phase, flights will be started from Bihta Airport to Patna, Jamshedpur, and Bokaro. Bihta is located just a few kilometers away from Patna and is being developed as an alternative airport for the capital region.
Preparation for International Flights Too
Spirit Air's plan is not limited to within the country. The company has also announced international connectivity. In the second phase, cities in Nepal will be connected. This includes plans for flights from Muzaffarpur to Kathmandu and Janakpur, Birpur to Biratnagar and Rajbiraj, and Valmiki Nagar to Kathmandu and Bhairahawa.
In addition, direct flights to Kathmandu will also be started from Bihta Airport. This can help in increasing tourism, trade, and cultural exchange between Nepal and Bihar.
Plan Formulated in High-Level Meeting
To finalize this plan, an important meeting was held on Tuesday between Spirit Air's promoter Subodh Verma and Bihar Government's Additional Chief Secretary S. Siddharth. The implementation of the UDAN scheme, the progress of airport construction, and the roles of partner airlines were discussed.
The meeting emphasized that the objective of the UDAN scheme is to connect small cities with air services and to make travel easier for the general public. Also, new opportunities for employment and business at the local level will be created through this initiative.
Which Aircraft Will Be Included in the Flights
Spirit Air stated that it will use state-of-the-art but smaller aircraft for its services. Its fleet will include aircraft like the Islander BN2T-4S-STOL and the King Air 250. The Islander aircraft facilitates take-off and landing in a small space, which is suitable for small air strips.
The King Air 250, on the other hand, is a high-performance plane that is adaptable to pressurized cabins, comfortable seating, and a variety of needs. This aircraft can prove to be an excellent option for medical emergencies and business-class passengers.
Approval Granted for Airport Development in Six Cities
The Bihar government has already approved the construction of new airports in six cities. This decision was taken in the cabinet meeting on June 17, where it was decided that an MoU would be signed between the Directorate of Aviation and the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
The cities where airports are being built include Madhubani, Birpur (Supaul), Munger, Valmiki Nagar (Bettiah), Muzaffarpur, and Saharsa. The government has allocated a total amount of ₹150 crore, at the rate of ₹25 crore for each airport.
Common People Will Connect Through Regional Connectivity
This operational plan of Spirit Air is part of the central government's scheme, which aims to connect the country's small and backward areas with the air network. Through the UDAN scheme, flights have been started on hundreds of routes across the country so far, in which this new expansion in Bihar is considered important.
The company has also clarified that its objective is not only business but also to contribute to regional development. For this, it will train local youth and provide employment in ground staff, technical support, and air operations.
