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Star Air has stopped accepting bookings for its Belagavi-Jaipur and Belagavi-Ahmedabad flights, which were scheduled to begin in mid-January, following the earlier withdrawal of the Mumbai-Belagavi service in late December. The reduction in direct flights has raised concerns among business groups and frequent travellers, as Belagavi hosts a large industrial base and relies on strong connectivity for trade and investments. The airport is undergoing a major expansion, including a new terminal capable of handling 1,400 passengers, but the decline in services has created uncertainty over the city's regional aviation role.
Star Air recently suspended bookings for its Belagavi-Jaipur and Belagavi-Ahmedabad services, initially planned for mid-January. This followed the airline's earlier decision to discontinue the Mumbai-Belagavi route from late December, reducing the number of direct flights from the city. These developments have raised concerns among passengers, industrialists, and trade bodies, who warn that shrinking air connectivity could affect business operations, investments, and regular travel. Advertisement
Belagavi Airport has historically played a key role in the commercial, industrial, and social development of North Karnataka and neighbouring regions in Maharashtra and Goa. Until recently, it offered flights to Bengaluru, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Pune, Nagpur, Chennai, Tirupati, Surat, Indore, and Jodhpur. Currently, scheduled services operate mainly to Bengaluru, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, and Jaipur, run by Star Air and IndiGo. The suspension of Jaipur and Ahmedabad services has heightened uncertainty, even though passenger occupancy was reported to be healthy.
The city hosts a substantial industrial estate, including thousands of micro, small, and medium enterprises, alongside major units in engineering, pharmaceuticals, auto components, and textiles. Direct connectivity to business hubs such as Mumbai, Pune, and Kolkata is critical for routine operations, client meetings, and investor confidence. With fewer flights available, business travellers increasingly rely on airports at Hubballi, Goa, or Kolhapur, which are 100-150 km away, causing higher travel costs, longer journeys, and added strain.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is progressing with a major expansion of Sambra Airport. The new terminal, foundation laid in March 2024 at an estimated cost of INR 265 crore, will cover nearly 20,000 sq m and handle up to 1,400 passengers simultaneously, compared to the current capacity of around 300. It will include six check-in counters and parking for three Airbus A320 or Boeing 737 aircraft. Approximately 65% of construction work is complete, according to airport officials.
Trade bodies, including the Belgaum Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BCCI), have submitted representations to government officials and are planning to approach the Union civil aviation ministry. BCCI president Prabhakar Nagaramunnoli highlighted that despite strong passenger numbers, the suspension of flights is hurting investors and entrepreneurs. Airport director S. Thyagarajan noted that several airlines have shown interest in operating the vacant slots and expressed hope that the current uncertainty would not persist.
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