Belagavi Airport Push Gains Pace: New Flights, Bigger Terminal, 12 Aircraft Bays Planned

Jagadish Shettar chaired the Belagavi Aerodrome Advisory Committee meeting and reviewed the ongoing expansion and infrastructure works at Sambra Airport, with a strong focus on improving connectivity and speeding up pending development projects. During the meeting, Shettar held discussions with senior Air Force officials regarding the transfer of around 15 to 16 acres of land currently under Air Force control, which is required for the construction of a parallel taxiway and to meet mandatory DGCA safety norms. Officials informed the committee that a consolidated proposal for nearly 32 acres has already been forwarded by the district administration to the Karnataka government and is awaiting approval. The MP also urged airline operators, including IndiGo and Star Air, to introduce new flights from Belagavi to cities such as Pune, Chennai, Ahmedabad and Jodhpur. The airline representatives reportedly responded positively to the request. Members also sought the restart of discontinued routes from Belagavi Airport. To improve passenger convenience, the committee discussed introducing AC bus services between Belagavi Airport and the railway station based on flight timings, similar to services recently started at Hubballi Airport. The North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation officials were instructed to take immediate action on the proposal. The meeting also discussed the need for prepaid taxi and car rental services at the airport. Airline officials additionally requested the establishment of a police outpost within the airport premises to improve security and law-and-order coordination. Senior police officers present were asked to initiate the necessary process. Shettar also reviewed the proposal for a four-lane road connecting Belagavi city to Sambra Airport to reduce congestion and improve accessibility. He stated that discussions would be held with Public Works Department engineers to expedite the project. Before the meeting, the MP, along with committee members, inspected the ongoing Terminal-2 construction works at the airport. Officials informed the committee that the new terminal project has achieved around 87 per cent physical progress and is expected to be completed by June 2026. The new terminal, being built at a cost of around Rs 223 crore, will feature modern passenger facilities with a handling capacity of approximately 2,400 passengers at a time, split equally between arrivals and departures. Parallel works on apron expansion and new taxi links are also underway at an estimated cost of Rs 23 crore. Once completed, aircraft parking capacity at the airport will increase from the current three bays to 12 bays, suitable for larger aircraft such as the Airbus A321. The airport expansion project also includes four passenger boarding bridges, 14 check-in counters, two arrival conveyor belts and installation of high mast lighting systems. Committee members also reiterated the long-term demand to upgrade Belagavi Airport for international operations and develop a dedicated cargo terminal facility, as the existing cargo handling system currently operates from the passenger terminal with several operational limitations. Discussions were held with Air Force officials regarding transfer of 15–16 acres of land required for: Parallel taxiway construction Runway safety compliance as per DGCA norms A consolidated proposal for nearly 32 acres has already been sent by the district administration to the Karnataka government for approval. Airline operators including IndiGo and Star Air were requested to start new flights from Belagavi to: Pune Chennai Ahmedabad Jodhpur Other major cities Members also demanded restarting discontinued flight routes from Belagavi Airport. Proposal discussed for AC bus service between: Belagavi Airport Belagavi Railway Stationbased on flight timings. NWKRTC officials were instructed to initiate airport bus services immediately. Demand raised for: Prepaid taxi services Car rental facilities at the airport Airline officials requested establishment of a police outpost inside airport premises for better security and law-and-order management. Shettar reviewed the proposed four-lane road project connecting Belagavi city to Sambra Airport to ease traffic congestion. Committee members inspected the ongoing Terminal-2 construction works before the meeting. Terminal-2 project status: Around 87% physical progress completed Expected completion by June 2026 Estimated cost: Rs 223 crore New terminal capacity: Around 2,400 passengers at a time 1,200 arrivals and 1,200 departures Apron expansion and new taxi link works are progressing simultaneously. Aircraft parking capacity will increase: From 3 bays to 12 bays Suitable for larger aircraft including Airbus A321 Additional infrastructure being installed: 4 passenger boarding bridges 14 check-in counters 2 arrival conveyor belts High mast lighting systems Members reiterated demand for: International airport status for Belagavi Dedicated cargo terminal facility at the airport