Belgaum Airport

Belgaum Airport
ಬೆಳಗಾವಿ ವಿಮಾನ ನಿಲ್ದಾಣ
Beḷagāvi Vimāna Nildāṇa
IATA: IXG – ICAO: VOBM
Summary
Airport type Public
Operator Airports Authority of India
Serves Belgaum, Karnataka, India
Elevation AMSL 2,487 ft / 758 m
Coordinates 15°51′33″N 74°37′03″E / 15.85917°N 74.61750°E / 15.85917; 74.61750Coordinates: 15°51′33″N 74°37′03″E / 15.85917°N 74.61750°E / 15.85917; 74.61750
Website www.aai.aero/allAirports/belgaum_generalinfo.jsp
Map
IXG
IXG
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
08/26 6,004 1,830 Asphalt

Belgaum Airport (IATA: IXG, ICAO: VOBM) is an airport serving Belgaum, a city in the Indian state of Karnataka. Because of its location in the village of Sambra, 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) east of Belgaum, the airport is also known as Sambra Airport. It was constructed in 1942 and has been served by several airlines in the past, but as of November 2016, it is only served by SpiceJet. An expansion project is in progress; the runway has been resurfaced and extended, while work on the terminal building continues. The airport is also home to an Indian Air Force station at which new recruits to the military receive basic training.

History

Built in 1942 by the Royal Air Force (RAF),[1] Belgaum Airport is one of the oldest airports in North Karnataka.[2] The RAF used the airport as a training site during World War II, providing support to the South East Asia Command. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) took control of the airport in 1956, followed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation in 1962. During the 1990s, Belgaum Airport was served by five passenger airlines: East-West Airlines, Gujarat Airways, Indian Airlines, NEPC Airlines and Vayudoot. All airlines ended flights to the airport by the end of the decade.[1]

Belgaum Airport saw the return of commercial flights in 2003, with Air Deccan providing service from Bangalore.[3] Air Deccan also flew to Kolhapur and Mumbai for some time.[4] After Air Deccan completed its merger with Kingfisher Airlines in 2008, Kingfisher decided to end flights to Belgaum in June 2009 citing low occupancy.[5] Nevertheless, expansion plans for Belgaum Airport were launched in 2010, when the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the Government of Karnataka signed a memorandum of understanding. Kingfisher returned in January 2011 with daily flights from Mumbai,[6] but it exited the market in November 2011 amid its own financial difficulties.[7] SpiceJet arrived at Belgaum in November 2012 with flights from Bangalore and remains the only airline to serve Belgaum Airport as of November 2016.[8]

In 2013, the Central Government cleared the expansion project.[9] The runway was refurbished and then extended by 470 metres (1,540 ft) in order to facilitate larger aircraft such as the Airbus A321.[10] The DGCA has yet to approve the runway extension for use; however, it is unlikely to do so until a nearby cell tower is removed. In addition, the runway approach lighting system cannot be installed unless an obstructing road is closed, and the wall of the Air Force Station is presenting another obstruction. Meanwhile, the DGCA expects all other expansion works to be completed by April 2017, which include work on the terminal, car park, air traffic control and aprons.[11]

Terminal and airfield

The passenger terminal covers 1,160 square metres (12,500 sq ft) with three check-in desks, a VIP lounge and one boarding gate.[12] The abutting apron has two parking stands designed for the ATR 72 and similar aircraft.[12][13] There are also two separate aprons, one on the north side of the runway that serves as an isolation bay and one on the south side. The aprons are each connected by single taxiways to runway 08/26, which measures 1,830 by 45 metres (6,004 ft × 148 ft).[13] A 470-metre (1,540 ft) extension of the runway has been completed and is awaiting approval from the DGCA.[11]

Airlines and destinations

AirlinesDestinations
SpiceJet Bangalore, Jabalpur, Mangalore, Mumbai

Air Force Station

Built by and originally under the control of the Royal Air Force, the Special Reserve Police of Karnataka took over the air base in 1948. The air force station was a major base of air operations during Operation Vijay in 1961. Two years later, No. 1 Ground Training School at Jalahalli was moved to the base and renamed Administrative Training Institute (ATI) in 1980. In 2001, the ATI was renamed Airmen Training School (ATS). The focus of the base turned to providing Joint Basic Phase Training (JBPT) through the Basic Training Institute.[14] JBPT is designed to teach recruits military values and orient them towards a life in the military.[14][15]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Patil, Vijaykumar (18 October 2002). "Passenger services from Belgaum Airport soon". The Hindu. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  2. ↑ "Five towns that are being added to India's airport map". Livemint. 16 July 2015. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  3. ↑ "Air Deccan services to be launched today". The Hindu. 24 August 2003. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  4. ↑ "Air Deccan to increase flights". Rediff.com. 16 April 2004. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  5. ↑ "Flights from Belgaum airport will resume soon" (Press release). India PRwire. 14 November 2009. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  6. ↑ "Kingfisher Airlines starts daily Belgaum-Mumbai flights". The Hindu. 11 January 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  7. ↑ "Belgaum airport to resume flights soon". The New Indian Express. 15 October 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  8. ↑ Urs, Anil (9 November 2012). "SpiceJet to begin Bangalore-Belgaum service". The Hindu Business Line. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  9. ↑ "Centre gives nod to upgrade Belgaum Airport". Deccan Chronicle. 16 November 2013. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  10. ↑ Patil, Vijaykumar (14 June 2015). "Wait for AAI clearance hampers Belgaum airport expansion". The Hindu. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  11. 1 2 "Mobile tower, farm lands delay airport expansion". The Times of India. 18 June 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  12. 1 2 "Belgaum: Technical Information". Airports Authority of India. 16 October 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  13. 1 2 "Aerodrome Data: Belgaum Airport (VOBM), effective 23 July 2015" (PDF). Airports Authority of India. 27 May 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  14. 1 2 Mohan, R. D. (1 October 2012). "ATS Belgaum, Historic Alma Mater". Sainik Samachar. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  15. ↑ M., Anantha (6 October 2013). "IAF to put airmen through new training pattern in January". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 27 June 2016.

External links

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