Mumbai and Solapur will soon be connected by direct air services, with flights set to commence from 15 October under Maharashtra’s regional connectivity initiative. The introduction of this new route, to be operated by a private carrier, is expected to cut travel time significantly while strengthening economic, cultural, and tourism ties between the two cities.
Officials confirmed that Solapur will become the thirty-first destination on the airline’s expanding domestic network. With flights scheduled four times a week—on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays—the service is designed to serve both business and leisure passengers. Tickets have been priced at ₹3,999 for a one-way journey, placing the route within the affordable segment of regional air travel. Flights will depart from Mumbai at 12:50 pm, reaching Solapur by 2:10 pm. The return leg will leave Solapur at 2:40 pm, landing back in Mumbai at 3:45 pm. The carefully aligned schedule aims to provide convenient mid-day connectivity without clashing with peak hour traffic at Mumbai airport.
According to aviation experts, Solapur’s inclusion in the state’s air network represents more than just a new destination. The city, already a hub for textiles, manufacturing, and education, is expected to gain from enhanced accessibility to Mumbai’s financial and industrial ecosystem. Faster connectivity could attract investment into Solapur’s industrial clusters while also opening doors for local entrepreneurs and small businesses to engage with larger markets. Tourism stakeholders believe the route will also help promote Solapur’s heritage landmarks, cultural sites, and pilgrimage circuits. For visitors from Mumbai and beyond, the new air service provides an efficient alternative to lengthy road and rail journeys, thereby expanding opportunities for weekend tourism and cultural exchanges.
The development has been aligned with the state government’s regional connectivity scheme, which aims to expand affordable air travel to tier-2 and tier-3 cities while reducing pressure on overburdened rail and road corridors. Aviation planners highlight that beyond convenience, such initiatives can also help reduce the carbon footprint of regional travel when compared with private vehicle usage, particularly if airlines progressively transition to fuel-efficient fleets. Officials emphasised that the flight service is part of a larger vision to bridge the divide between metropolitan centres and emerging industrial cities. As urban India grapples with mobility challenges, sustainable and well-planned regional air connectivity is seen as an essential step in creating equitable and future-ready cities.
While the initial response is expected to be driven by business travel, experts predict that demand will expand steadily as Solapur positions itself as a growth node within western Maharashtra. With careful policy support, the Mumbai–Solapur route could become a model for how regional aviation can support inclusive development, connect people faster, and strengthen both economic and social fabric.
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