Belagavi Airport is set to expand, as the Airport Authority of India (AAI) has requested an additional 56 acres of land from the state government due to a rise in flights and passenger traffic. The airport, located in Sambra village, 15 km from the city, has seen the AAI seeking this land for the past two years. Former MP Mangala Angadi initiated discussions in 2022, holding multiple meetings to address the expansion needs.
Recently, current MP Jagadish Shettar held two meetings with district administration and AAI officials, urging them to prioritize the proposal given the airport's increasing activity. Following these efforts, the land acquisition process has begun.
Belagavi Assistant Commissioner Shravan Naik visited the airport to inspect the area where the AAI is requesting land. While the AAI initially required 49 acres, it is now asking for 56 acres to mitigate future road connectivity issues. According to Airport Controller S. Tyagarajan, the district administration has commenced the land acquisition process, but government approval for the proposal is still pending. Once approved, a land survey will begin, followed by acquisition notices to affected farmers. The existing Belagavi Airport covers 755 acres and currently offers non-stop flights to eight destinations via two airlines—Indigo and Star Air.
