First Mumbai (25 Dec), Now Jaipur & Ahmedabad: Star Air Suspends Two More Routes from Belagavi
Air connectivity in Belagavi has taken another significant hit. Regional carrier Star Air has stopped accepting bookings for its direct flights from Belagavi to Jaipur and Ahmedabad, with the suspension set to take effect from January 15, 2026.
This development is a major blow to the region’s travelers and comes just weeks after the airline withdrew its popular Belagavi–Mumbai service on December 25, 2025.
Now, just weeks later, the airline has dealt another double blow. Bookings have been closed for two more key routes:
- Belagavi – Jaipur: Suspended effective January 15, 2026.
- Belagavi – Ahmedabad: Suspended effective January 15, 2026.
In less than a month, Belagavi has lost three of its most vital regional connections.
The “New Terminal” Paradox
What makes these cancellations particularly frustrating for locals is the timing. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is currently in the middle of a massive ₹265 crore expansion of the Sambra Airport.
- Massive Scale: A new 20,000 sq. meter terminal is roughly 65% complete.
- Huge Capacity: The upgrade is designed to handle 1,400 passengers at a time—nearly five times the current limit.
- The Irony: Residents and trade bodies, such as the Belgaum Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BCCI), are left asking: Why build a world-class terminal if there are no planes to fill it?
A Hard Hit for Local Industry
Belagavi is a major industrial hub, home to thousands of MSMEs and critical suppliers for the automotive and aerospace sectors. For years, the 90-minute “hop” to Mumbai allowed business owners to meet investors and clients with ease.
With these routes gone, passengers are now forced to:
- Drive 100–150 km to airports in Hubballi, Goa, or Kolhapur.
- Add 6–8 hours to their travel time.
- Pay higher fares due to limited direct competition.
Airport Director S. Thyagarajan has confirmed that management is in active discussions with other airlines to fill the vacant slots. While there is hope that new carriers will be attracted by the upcoming state-of-the-art terminal, for now, the residents of Belagavi are left on the ground, waiting for a solution to return to the skies.
As of now, Belagavi remains connected to Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Delhi primarily through IndiGo services.
