On March 31, 2024, air travel between Kolhapur and Tirupati was reestablished, ending a hiatus of three and a half months, to the delight of travelers. Initially, the service was launched and then halted after a brief period. However, the reinstatement of the route has been eagerly awaited, especially with StarAir spearheading the revival.

The service now operates directly from Kolhapur to Tirupati three times a week—on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Flights are scheduled to depart from Kolhapur at 11 a.m., reaching Tirupati by the afternoon. The return journey from Tirupati is planned for 12:35 p.m., with an expected arrival in Kolhapur at 1:45 p.m.

Aditya Mohite, a resident of the area, expressed his satisfaction with the convenience of the new flight service, highlighting its benefits for pilgrims visiting the Balaji Temple in Tirupati, offering a preferable alternative to train journeys.

StarAir’s manager, Nandkumar Gaurav, announced the service’s launch from Kolhapur’s new terminal building, noting the positive reception from the public, as evidenced by the high booking rate for April, reaching 80%. Despite the runway’s limitations restricting the flight’s capacity to 45 passengers, five less than its maximum, the resumed service is anticipated to significantly boost tourism and create new opportunities for both tourists and residents.