Belagavi Airport, which has been witnessing steady passenger growth, is set for a major upgrade with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) investing over ₹322 crore in the construction of a new terminal building.
Replying to a question raised in the Rajya Sabha by Iranna Kadadi, Member of Parliament from Karnataka, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said that Belagavi Airport currently operates as a domestic airport with a runway measuring 2,300 x 45 meters, capable of handling Airbus A320-type aircraft. The existing terminal has a handling capacity of 0.8 million passengers per year.
“With the ongoing construction of the new terminal building and related works, the airport’s capacity will increase to 3.5 million passengers per annum,” the Minister said.
Passenger and Cargo Growth
The airport has seen consistent growth in passenger traffic. In 2022-23, it handled 0.30 million passengers and 37 metric tonnes (MT) of freight. This increased to 0.31 million passengers with 12 MT of freight in 2023-24, and further to 0.34 million passengers and 24 MT in 2024-25.
International Operations Notified on Demand
On the possibility of declaring Belagavi as an international airport, the Minister clarified that such decisions depend on traffic potential, airline demand for international routes, and fulfillment of infrastructure requirements like ground lighting, instrument landing systems, runway length, immigration, health, and quarantine facilities.
Airlines Free to Decide Routes
Highlighting the deregulated nature of the aviation sector since the repeal of the Air Corporation Act in 1994, the Minister said airlines are free to choose their routes and aircraft type, provided they comply with the government’s Route Dispersal Guidelines. “The introduction of services to or from Belagavi will depend on the commercial and operational viability assessed by airline operators,” he noted.
Completion Timeline Variable
The Minister also pointed out that airport project completion timelines depend on factors such as land acquisition, regulatory clearances, removal of obstacles, and financial closure.
With Belagavi’s rising passenger numbers and the ongoing ₹322.45 crore expansion, aviation stakeholders expect the city to strengthen its position as a key air travel hub for north Karnataka in the coming years.