Belagavi: Frequent flyers and members of the business fraternity expressed serious concern after Star Air stopped accepting bookings for its Belagavi–Jaipur and Belagavi–Ahmedabad flights with effect from Jan 15. The development came close on the heels of the airline’s withdrawal of the Mumbai–Belagavi service from Dec 25, triggering fears that the city is on the verge of losing two more crucial regional air links. Stakeholders warned that the continued erosion of connectivity could adversely impact trade, industry and regular air travellers.For decades, Belagavi Airport played a pivotal role in the industrial, commercial and social development of North Karnataka and the border regions of Maharashtra and Goa. However, even as the airport undergoes major infrastructure upgradation, the gradual withdrawal of air services in recent months caused widespread anxiety among passengers, industrialists and trade bodies. Many fear that Belagavi is steadily losing its position as an important regional aviation hub.Until a year ago, the airport was connected to several key destinations, including Bengaluru, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Pune, Nagpur, Chennai, Tirupati, Surat, Indore and Jodhpur. At present, scheduled services are limited to Bengaluru, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Jaipur, operated by Star Air and IndiGo. The recent stoppage of bookings for Jaipur and Ahmedabad by Star Air further heightened uncertainty, particularly as airlines are curtailing routes despite healthy passenger occupancy, according to sources at the Airport Authorities.Belagavi is home to a large industrial estate housing thousands of micro, small and medium enterprises, along with major units in engineering, pharmaceuticals, auto components and textiles. Industrialists stress that direct air connectivity to business hubs such as Mumbai, Pune and Kolkata is vital for day-to-day operations, client interactions and investor confidence. With flights being withdrawn, business travellers are increasingly forced to depend on airports at Hubballi, Goa or Kolhapur, located 100 to 150 km away, resulting in higher travel costs, time loss and physical strain.Ironically, the contraction in air services is occurring even as the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is implementing a major expansion of Sambra Airport. The foundation stone for the new terminal building was laid on March 10, 2024, at an estimated cost of Rs 265 crore. Once completed, the terminal will cover nearly 20,000 sq m and will be capable of handling up to 1,400 passengers at a time, compared to the current capacity of about 300. It will feature 6 check-in counters and parking bays for 3 Airbus A320 or Boeing 737 aircraft. According to airport director Thyagarajan, around 65% of the construction work was completed.Trade bodies such as the Belgaum Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BCCI) intensified their efforts by submitting representations to ministers and senior officials, and are planning to approach the Union civil aviation minister. “Despite good passenger numbers, flights are being stopped. This is hurting investors and entrepreneurs the most,” said BCCI president Prabhakar Nagaramunnoli.According to airport director S Thyagarajan, several other airline companies showed interest in operating services in the vacant slots. “We are also approaching multiple airlines and are hopeful that the present uncertainty will not continue for long,” he said.
