Karnataka's Domestic Airports: A Comprehensive Overview

Karnataka, formerly known as Mysore, is a state in southwestern India. The state's economy is driven by agricultural and industrial development, and its diverse attractions, including ancient ruins, beaches, and hill stations, make it a popular tourist destination. There are several airports in Karnataka, serving both domestic and international travel, that facilitate tourism and the state's economic growth.

Mysore Airport

There are several domestic and international airports in Karnataka, India. Here is some detailed information about Mysore Airport, one of the domestic airports in the region.

Hubli Airport

The need for an airport in Hubli was first identified in 1954 when the region was under the presidency of Bombay (now Mumbai). However, due to the delay in land acquisition caused by the States Reorganisation Act, construction did not begin until 1974. The airport was developed by the Public Works Department of Karnataka and flight operations commenced in 2003.

The new terminal covers an area of 3,600 square meters and is centrally air-conditioned. It can handle 300 passengers at peak hours, with 150 arrivals and 150 departures. The terminal features a range of passenger-friendly amenities, including a public address system, check-in counters, fire alarm, HVAC, elevator, firefighting equipment, CCTV, baggage scanners, and car parking. The airport is also eco-friendly, with a skylight system and a double-insulated roofing system that reduces energy consumption.

In addition to the passenger terminal, Hubli Airport has a cargo terminal located east of the main building. The cargo terminal covers 65 square meters, and the Old Terminal Building was converted into a Domestic Cargo Complex, which began operations in March 2021.

To cater to increasing air traffic and future demands due to the expanding Hubballi-Dharwad metropolis, a new passenger terminal is planned for the north-western area of the airport. This new terminal will cover an area of 20,000 square meters, with two levels, modern facilities, and three aerobridges. It will be able to handle 1,400 passengers during peak hours, including 700 arrivals and 700 departures. The expansion project is expected to be completed by 2025 and will enable connections to both domestic and international destinations.

Belgaum Airport

There are 15 airports in Karnataka, India, two of which are international airports. One of the domestic airports in the state is Belgaum Airport, also known as Belagavi Airport. Here is some more information about it:

History

Indian Airlines commenced operations in 1947, and various private airlines operated at the airport from 1989 to 2011. In 2012, SpiceJet started its operations, initially flying to four major cities: Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai. However, in 2018, SpiceJet shifted all its operations to Hubballi Airport, leaving Belgaum without a commercial airline. This changed in July 2018 when Alliance Air, a subsidiary of Air India, began flight services to Bangalore. Air India also started services to Bangalore in August 2018, connecting Belgaum with Bangalore seven days a week.

Expansion Plans

The AAI has announced further expansion plans due to rising traffic and future demands. A new passenger terminal building with an area of 20,000 square meters will be constructed, equipped with modern facilities and three aerobridges. The expansion will also include a new apron and taxiway, as well as runway expansion to cater to larger aircraft. The work is scheduled to begin in January 2024, with an estimated cost of around ₹230 crore.

Terminal and Airfield

The current integrated terminal building was inaugurated on 14 September 2017 and is spread over 3,600 square meters. It has a capacity of accommodating over 300 passengers, with six check-in counters and two baggage conveyor belts. The airport has an apron for parking three Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft, as well as two additional aprons for smaller aircraft. The runway has been extended by 470 meters and currently measures 2,300 by 45 meters.

Airlines and Destinations

As of 2022, Belgaum Airport is served by SpiceJet, which operates direct flights to Mumbai and Bengaluru. Additionally, the airline offers indirect flights to other destinations, including Jabalpur, Hyderabad, Kochi, Delhi, and Chennai, via connections in Mumbai and Bengaluru. There are seven weekly flights between Mumbai and Belgaum and eight weekly flights between Bengaluru and Belgaum.

Kalaburagi Airport

Karnataka, formerly known as Mysore, is a state in southwestern India. The state has a bunch of excellent places to explore, from the beaches of Gokarna to the gardens of Bangalore. Ranked as the fourth most popular tourist destination in the country, Karnataka's airports facilitate tourism in the region and boost the state's economic growth.

Karnataka has 15 domestic and international airports. Here is some detailed information about one of them:

The airport was initially scheduled to be built under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with the government of Karnataka. However, the contract was terminated in January 2015 due to financial mismanagement and disputes between the shareholders of Gulbarga Airport Development Ltd (GADL). The state government then decided to complete the remaining work through its own Public Works Department. The first phase of work on the airport began in September 2016 and included extending the runway to 3.2 km to facilitate the landing of larger aircraft. The construction work was completed by August 2019 at a cost of Rs. 181 Crore, excluding the cost of acquiring 742 acres of land. The airport was formally handed over to the AAI on 24 August 2019, and the Karnataka Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (KSIIDC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AAI to develop, operate and maintain the airport.

In 2021, Kalaburagi Airport saw a steady surge in passenger and flight traffic, with as many as 619 flights operated between April and July of that year. The airport has a lost and found service for its passengers.

Bidar Airport

Karnataka, formerly known as Mysore, is a state in southwestern India. The state has a total of 15 domestic and international airports, with Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru being the busiest in the state and the third busiest in all of India.

In response to the demand for a civilian airport in Bidar, the Indian Air Force agreed to allow commercial flight operations. A civilian terminal was constructed in 2008-2009, ahead of the Guru-ta-Gaddi celebrations at the Guru Nanak Jhira Sahib. The airport operates as a civil enclave on the Indian Air Force's Bidar Air Force Station.

The Air Force Academy operates Kiran Mk II trainers, while the Hawk Operational Training Squadron (HOTS) operates BAE Hawk Advanced jet trainers.

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