UteCansler at 15:43, 28 March 2026

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{{short description|Airport serving Hubballi-Dharwad, Karnataka, India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox airport
| name = Hubli Airport
| image = Hubballi Airport new Terminal.jpg
| image-width = 250
| caption =
| IATA = HBX
| ICAO = VOHB
| type = Public
| operator = [[Airports Authority of India]]
| owner-oper =
| city-served = [[Hubballi]], [[Dharwad]]
| location = Gandhi Nagar, Hubballi, [[Karnataka]], [[India]]
| opened = {{start date and age|1974|||df=y|p=n|br=n}}
| focus_city =
| elevation-f = 2,171
| elevation-m = 662
| coordinates = {{coord|15|21|42|N|075|05|05|E|type:airport|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_map = India Karnataka#India
| pushpin_label = '''HBX'''
| website = [https://www.aai.aero/en/airports/hubli Hubli Airport]
| metric-rwy =
| r1-number = 08/26
| r1-length-f = 8,500
| r1-length-m = 2600
| r1-surface = [[Asphalt concrete|Asphalt]]/[[Concrete]]
| stat-year = April 2024 - March 2025
| stat1-header = Passengers
| stat1-data = 346,405 ({{decrease}} 3.5%)
| stat2-header = Aircraft movements
| stat2-data = 4,334 ({{decrease}} 18.1%)
| stat3-header = Cargo tonnage
| stat3-data = 284 ({{increase}} 78.2%)
| footnotes = Source: [[Airports Authority of India|AAI]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Annexure III – Passenger Data|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k25Annex3.pdf|website=aai.aero|access-date=29 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Annexure II – Aircraft Movement Data|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k25Annex2.pdf|website=aai.aero|access-date=29 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Annexure IV – Freight Movement Data|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k25Annex4.pdf|website=aai.aero|access-date=29 April 2025}}</ref>
}}

'''Hubli Airport''' {{airport codes|HBX|VOHB}} is a [[domestic airport]] serving the twin cities of [[Hubballi]] and [[Dharwad]] in the state of [[Karnataka]], India. It is situated in Gandhi Nagar, {{cvt|8|km}} from Hubballi and {{cvt|20|km}} from Dharwad. It is connected with 10 destinations throughout the country. The airport has been made self-reliant in terms of electricity generation, with the commissioning of an 8 megawatt (MW) ground-mounted grid-connected photovoltaic solar plant in April 2021.<ref name="auto">{{cite news |title=One step towards renewable energy: Solar plant at Hubli airport to generate power by April 2021 |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/good-news/2020/dec/04/one-step-towards-renewable-energy-solar-plant-at-hubballi-airport-to-generate-power-by-april-2021-2231723.html |access-date=9 January 2021 |work=The New Indian Express |date=4 December 2020}}</ref>

Beside the existing terminal, a new, larger terminal is being constructed to meet the rapidly rising traffic and demands. Its [[Cornerstone|foundation stone]] was laid by [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Narendra Modi]] in March 2024, and construction began in the same month.<ref>{{cite news|title=PM inaugurates, lays foundation stone of new terminal buildings of 15 airports|url=https://www.thestatesman.com/india/pm-inaugurates-lays-foundation-stone-of-new-terminal-buildings-of-15-airports-1503277917.html|work=The Statesman|date=10 March 2024|access-date=29 April 2025|language=en}}</ref> It is slated to be completed by the end of 2026.<ref>{{cite news|title=New Domestic Terminal Building for Hubballi Airport|url=https://mysuruinfrahub.com/new-domestic-terminal-building-for-hubballi-airport/|work=Mysuru Infra Hub|date=7 October 2023|access-date=29 April 2025|language=en}}</ref>

== History ==
The need for an Airport at Hubli was felt way back in 1954 when the region was under the Mumbai (then Bombay) presidency. Due to [[States Reorganisation Act, 1956|States Reorganisation Act]], Hubli shifted from being a part of Bombay presidency to the newly formed [[Karnataka]] state. Consequently, land acquisition was delayed and done only by 1974. The construction and development of the airport was carried out by the Public Works Department (PWD) of Karnataka. Airport Authority of India took over the airport from Karnataka PWD during 1996 and flight operations resumed in the 2003 by Air Deccan. Kingfisher Airlines soon joined followed and operated flights to Bangalore and Mumbai. [[Spicejet]] operated from the airport from 2014 to 2019 during the time which it had to suspend operations twice respectively due to Runway repairs and aircraft overrun before permanently ending flights in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bangaloreaviation.com/2018/04/spicejet-to-relaunch-flights-to-hubli.html|title=Spicejet to relaunch flights to Hubli|date=11 April 2018|website=bangaloreaviation.com|access-date=9 January 2021}}</ref> [[IndiGo]] started operating flights to the airport from July 2018 and is the biggest airline operating out of the airport.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2018/jun/26/air-connectivity-to-hubballi-gets-udan-push-indigo-begins-ops-1833731.html|title = Air connectivity to Hubballi gets UDAN push, IndiGo begins ops| date=26 June 2018 }}</ref>

== Expansion ==
The [[Government of Karnataka]] signed a [[memorandum of understanding]] (MoU) with the [[Airports Authority of India]] (AAI) in January 2013 to develop the airport.<ref>{{cite news|title=Karnataka govt signs MoU for Hubli-Dharwad airport expansion |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_karnataka-govt-signs-mou-for-hubli-airport-expansion_1792216 |work=[[Daily News and Analysis]] |date= 24 January 2013 | access-date= 1 February 2013}}</ref> Accordingly, {{convert|55|acre|km2|abbr=on}} of land were acquired by the State Government and handed over to the AAI.<ref name = "BS2">{{cite news|title=Expansion and Facelift of Belgaum, Hubli-Dharwad and Mysore Airports |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/government-press-release/expansion-and-facelift-of-belgaum-hubli-and-mysore-airports-116111701146_1.html |work=[[Business Standard]] |date= 17 November 2016 |access-date=8 January 2017}}</ref>

The area of the airfield was increased to {{Convert|369|acre|}} and the runway was extended to {{Convert|8500|ft|}}. A new taxiway, roofing, car parking, fire station and a new terminal building were also part of the upgrade project that would enable the operation of larger aircraft like the [[Boeing 737]] and the [[Airbus A320]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Hubli-Dharwad airport to be ready for Boeing in 2 yrs |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/306910/hubli-Dharwad-airport-ready-boeing-2.html |work=[[Deccan Herald]] |date= 22 January 2013 | access-date= 1 February 2013}}</ref> AAI constructed a new DVOR building and NDB building in 2016 and commenced the work on extension, strengthening and widening of the runway, taxiways and the isolation bay.<ref name = "BS2"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Hubli Airport expansion takes off after seven years |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-05-03/news/31558859_1_hubli-airport-expansion-project-aai |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516105133/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-05-03/news/31558859_1_hubli-airport-expansion-project-aai |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 May 2012 |work=[[The Economic Times]] |date= 3 May 2012 |access-date=4 July 2012}}</ref> A new ATC tower, technical block, fire station, a new apron for parking three aircraft, a 12.8 km. security wall with 17 security watch towers and a sewage treatment plant were constructed.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/646873/muhurtha-fixed-upgraded-airport-opening.html |title = Muhurtha fixed for upgraded airport opening, Mumbai flight service|date = 7 December 2017}}</ref> On 12 December 2017 Union Civil Aviation Minister P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju inaugurated the upgraded airport terminal and other ancillary facilities. Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha and senior Airports Authority of India officials were also present on the occasion.<ref>{{cite news|author=ANI |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/karnataka-s-hubballi-city-gets-new-airport-terminal-117121300444_1.html |title=Karnataka's Hubballi city gets new airport terminal | Business Standard News |newspaper=Business Standard India |publisher=Business-standard.com |date=13 December 2017 |access-date=18 April 2018}}</ref>

In order to cater with more traffic and future demands in the coming years due to the rapid expansion of population and urbanisation in the Hubballi-[[Dharwad]] metropolis, a new passenger terminal will be built on the north-western area of the airport, which will cover an area of 20,000 sq.m. with two levels, will be equipped with modern facilities and amenities and will have three [[Jet bridge|aerobridges]]. It will be able to handle 1,400 passengers (700 arrivals and 700 departures) during peak hours. Other works included as part of the expansion is a new apron and a taxiway connecting to the runway, along with runway expansion to cater for larger aircraft like the [[Airbus A320]] and [[Boeing 737]], which at present operate on a limited scale due to the short length of the runway. The expansion project will be undertaken at a cost of around ₹ 275 crore and will be completed in two years, i.e., by 2025. Once completed, it will help the metropolis to be connected not only with domestic destinations but also with international destinations, which is a long pending demand of the people of northern Karnataka to make it the third international airport after [[Kempegowda International Airport|Bangalore]] and [[Mangalore International Airport|Mangalore]] airports, as well as to reduce dependencies on both the airports.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kattimani|first=Basavaraj|title=AAI gives nod for Hubballi airport terminal expansion|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubballi/aai-gives-nod-for-hubballi-airport-terminal-expansion/articleshow/100952285.cms|work=The Times of India|date=13 June 2023|access-date=9 July 2023|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Centre releases ₹275 crore for expansion of Hubballi Airport Terminal|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/centre-releases-275-crore-for-expansion-of-hubballi-airport-terminal/article67041405.ece|work=The Hindu|date=4 July 2023|access-date=9 July 2023|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=H. Kumar|first=Pavan|title=Hubballi takes one step closer towards international airport|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/state/hubballi-dharwad/hubballi-takes-one-step-closer-towards-international-airport-1177467.html|work=Deccan Herald|date=3 January 2023|access-date=9 July 2023|language=en}}</ref>

==Facilities==
===Runway===
Hubli Airport has one [[runway]] in use.
* Runway 08/26: {{convert|2600|x|45|m}}, CAT I [[Instrument landing system|ILS]] equipped and in future will be equipped with [[Required navigation performance|RNP]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Now, Hubballi Airport gets Instrument Landing System |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/now-hubballi-airport-gets-instrument-landing-system/article32708520.ece |access-date=31 January 2021 |work=The Hindu |date=27 September 2020 |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Tripathi |first1=Neha LM |title=By December, 45 airports to use global navigation satellite system for safe landing in poor visibility |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/by-december-45-airports-to-have-global-navigation-satellite-system-for-safe-landing-in-poor-visibility/story-DsKlGsUpK7Hti3dRKvQckM.html |access-date=31 January 2021 |work=Hindustan Times |date=27 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

===Terminals ===
The old terminal could handle only 3 ATR-72 sized aircraft.<ref>{{cite web|author=MIG |url=https://mediaindia.eu/aai-focus/ambitious-infrastructure-development-plans/ |title=Ambitious Infrastructure Development Plans | Media India Group |publisher=Mediaindia.eu |date= 17 July 2017|access-date=20 April 2018}}</ref> The apron could handle only three Code A/B sized aircraft.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aai.aero/allAirports/hubli_technicalinfo.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170616090021/http://www.aai.aero/allAirports/hubli_technicalinfo.jsp |archive-date=16 June 2017 |title=Airports Authority of India |access-date=6 August 2018}}</ref> The old terminal was closed down and flight operations shifted to the new terminal after its inauguration.

The new terminal covers an area of 3600 square meters and is centrally air-conditioned. It can handle 300 passengers at a time during peak hours, i.e., 150 arrivals & 150 departures. The airport has passenger-friendly amenities like public address system, check-in counters, fire alarm, HVAC (heating ventilation and air conditioning), elevator, firefighting, CCTV, baggage scanners and car parking. It is also eco-friendly as the terminal has a skylight system for energy savings and a standing seam double insulated roofing system.<ref>{{cite news|author=ANI |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/karnataka-s-hubballi-city-gets-new-airport-terminal-117121300444_1.html |title=Karnataka's Hubballi city gets new airport terminal | Business Standard News |newspaper=Business Standard India |publisher=Business-standard.com |date=13 December 2017 |access-date=20 April 2018}}</ref> The apron can now handle three A320/B737 or five ATR-72 sized aircraft at a time.<ref>{{cite news|author=Hubballi Infra |url=https://hubballidharwadinfra.com/about-hubballi-airport/ |title=Overview of Hubballi Airport (HBX); Hubballi Infra}}</ref>

===Cargo terminal===
The cargo terminal is located east of the passenger terminal. It covers 65 square metres (700 sq ft). The Old Terminal Building was converted into Domestic Cargo Complex and started operations in March 2021. On completion it became north Karnataka's first dedicated domestic air cargo terminal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2021/mar/15/outbound-cargo-service-start-from-hubballi-airport-to-boost-perspectives-of-farmers-and-businessmen-2276637.html|title=Outbound cargo service start from Hubballi airport, to boost perspectives of farmers and businessmen|date=15 March 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Conversion Of Old Terminal Building Into Domestic Cargo Complex At Hubli Airport |url=https://www.aai.aero/en/node/185638 |website=aai.aero |access-date=31 January 2021}}</ref>

== Airlines and destinations ==

{{Airport-dest-list

| [[IndiGo]]| [[Kempegowda International Airport|Bengaluru]], [[Indira Gandhi International Airport|Delhi]],<ref>{{cite news|title=IndiGo starts Hubballi to Delhi direct flight|url=https://hubballidharwadinfra.com/indigo-starts-hubballi-to-delhi-direct-flight/|work=Hubballi Infra|date=14 November 2022|access-date=14 November 2022|language=en}}</ref> [[Rajiv Gandhi International Airport|Hyderabad]], [[Navi Mumbai International Airport|Mumbai-Navi]] (begins 29 March 2026),<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/navi-mumbai-airport-to-connect-46-domestic-destinations-from-april-11270518|title=New flights to Navi Mumbai}}</ref> [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport|Mumbai-Shivaji]], [[Pune Airport|Pune]]<ref>{{cite news|title=IndiGo to start Hubballi Pune direct flight from February 5|url=https://hubballidharwadinfra.com/indigo-to-start-hubballi-pune-direct-flight-from-february-4/|work=Hubballi Infra|date=10 January 2023|access-date=16 January 2023|language=en|archive-date=24 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324162536/https://hubballidharwadinfra.com/indigo-to-start-hubballi-pune-direct-flight-from-february-4/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

}}

== Statistics ==

{{Airport-Statistics|iata=HBX}}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Hubli Airport passenger traffic statistics<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aai.aero/traffic_news/Mar2k16annex3.pdf|title=2015-16 Statistics|publisher=[[Airports Authority of India]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160527102138/http://www.aai.aero/traffic_news/Mar2k16annex3.pdf|archive-date=27 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aai.aero/traffic_news/Mar2k15annex3.pdf|title=2014-15 Statistics|publisher=[[Airports Authority of India]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518083223/http://www.aai.aero/traffic_news/mar2k15annex3.pdf|archive-date=18 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aai.aero/traffic_news/Mar2k17annex3.pdf|title=2016-17 Statistics|publisher=[[Airports Authority of India]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428052950/http://www.aai.aero/traffic_news/Mar2k17annex3.pdf|archive-date=28 April 2017}}</ref>
!Year
!Rank
!Passengers
!Growth
!Rank change
|-
|2019-20
|49
|475,218
|{{Increase}} 3.2%
|{{Decrease}} 4
|-
|2018-19
|45
|460,462
|{{Increase}} 835.4%
|{{Increase}}19
|-
|2017-18
|64
|49,227
|{{Increase}} 89.9%
|{{Decrease}} 1
|-
|2016-17
|63
|25,928
|{{Decrease}} 33.5%
|{{Increase}} 1
|-
|2015-16
|64
|38,973
|
|
|}
{{See also|List of busiest airports in India}}

==Other facilities==

===Solar power plant===
A 8 megawatt (MW) ground-mounted grid-connected photovoltaic solar plant has been built by [[Airports Authority of India|AAI]] at the airport. Hubli airport has been made self-reliant in terms of electricity generation with the commissioning of the plant in April 2021. Solar power generated here is being supplied to Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation's (KPTC) grid and then on to other airports including [[Gulbarga]], [[Mysore]], and Bangalore's [[HAL Airport]]. The project is located in about 38 acres of land on south of the runway. Over 400 solar panels have been installed in 24 acres of the land whereas the remaining portion has been used to set up transformers, rooms, and for other purposes. The solar plant will generate about 140 lakh units annually.<ref name="auto"/>

===Airport hotel===
Fortune Park Airport Road Hubballi owned by [[ITC Hotels]] is strategically located opposite to Hubli airport. The hotel also encompasses 2 restaurants.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fortune Hotels opens new property in Hubballi |url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2021/04/20/fortune-hotels-opens-new-property-in-hubballi/ |access-date=16 February 2022 |work=Business Traveller |date=20 April 2021}}</ref>

== Connectivity ==
=== Road ===
The airport is connected to the city by Gokul Road. The [[National Highway 48 (India)|National Highway 48]] passes right next to the airport. The [[North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation|NWKRTC]] operates air conditioned bus services from Hubli Railway Station to the airport and a mini-bus service between Hubli Central Bus Terminus (C.B.T.) and the airport. The AC buses make ten trips a day and mini-buses 24 trips a day.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubballi/ac-bus-service-to-hubballi-airport-launched/articleshow/66297779.cms|title=AC bus service to Hubballi airport launched - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=21 October 2018}}</ref>

=== Rail ===
The nearest railway station is Unkal railway station which is located 7.5 km from the airport whereas the nearest major railway [[junction (rail)|junction]] is [[Hubli Junction railway station]], which is located 8 km from the airport.

==Accidents and incidents==

*On 9 March 2015, a Spicejet [[Bombardier Dash 8]], operating flight SG-1085 from [[Bangalore]] with 74 passengers and 4 crew, landed on Hubli's runway in heavy rain, veered off the runway and came to a halt on soft ground with the left main gear collapsed. There were no injuries but the aircraft received substantial damage to the left hand main landing gear, propeller and engine.<ref>{{cite news|title=SpiceJet plane skids at Hubli airport, no one hurt, Spicejet closed Hubli operations and now operates its flights from Belgaum|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/spicejet-plane-skids-at-hubli-no-one-hurt-115030800787_1.html |publisher=[[Business Standard]] |date= 8 March 2015 | access-date= 11 March 2015}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Aviation}}
* [[List of airports in Karnataka]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.aai.aero/en/airports/hubli Hubli Airport] at the [[Airports Authority of India]] website

{{Airports in India}}

[[Category:Airports in Karnataka]]
[[Category:Transport in Hubli-Dharwad]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Hubli-Dharwad]]
[[Category:Airports established in 1954]]
[[Category:1954 establishments in Mysore State]]
[[Category:20th-century architecture in India]]
[[Category:Airports Authority of India]]

Hubli Airport - Revision history

UteCansler at 15:43, 28 March 2026