Utkela Airport — Bhawanipatna, India

Utkela Airport, coded UKE, serves the Kalahandi district in the Indian state of Odisha, an area historically challenged by underdevelopment despite significant natural resources including bauxite deposits. The airport represents part of India's regional connectivity scheme aimed at improving air access to underserved districts through smaller aircraft operations. UKE connects Kalahandi to state and national hubs, supporting both administrative travel and nascent economic development tied to mining and agriculture. Its establishment reflects broader efforts by Indian aviation authorities to extend commercial flight infrastructure beyond major metropolitan centers into historically overlooked interior regions.