The Civil Aviation Ministry announced on Thursday that it has received requests from 10 state governments to rename 22 airports. In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol mentioned that airports are generally named after the cities where they are located, including Belagavi Airport, which is proposed to be renamed as Kitturu Rani Chennamma Airport.
In Karnataka, three other airports are also proposed for renaming:
- Vijayapura Airport to Jagajyothi Basaveshwara Airport
- Hubballi Airport to Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna Airport
- Shivamogga Airport to Rashtrakavi Dr. K.V. Puttappa (Kuvempu) Airport
The minister explained that airports are usually named after their respective cities unless a specific name is proposed by the state government. This proposal must be supported by a resolution passed in the State Legislative Assembly and then considered in consultation with other ministries and departments before being sent to the Union Cabinet for final approval.
Renaming is secondary. We need more direct flights to key destinations.