In a major setback to regional air connectivity, regional carrier Star Air has stopped taking ticket bookings for its Belagavi–Mumbai–Belagavi flight service beyond August 16.
The move leaves local commuters, industrialists, and the business community deeply distressed as the airline prepares to pull the plug on its final active operation from Belagavi Airport (IXG).
According to the airline’s official booking portal, flight seats are available only until August 16. Beyond this date, the scheduling system returns no active inventory for the sector, giving a strong indication that Star Air is preparing a complete departure from Belagavi Airport.
From 10 Routes to Total Withdrawal
Star Air once operated as many as ten direct connections out of Belagavi—including key regional hubs like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Tirupati, Indore, Surat, Nashik and Nagpur—serving as a vital aviation partner under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN).
However, over the past year, the carrier systematically curtailed its network from the city. Routes were phased out one after another following the conclusion of UDAN subsidies, eventually reducing Star Air’s operational footprint in Belagavi to just the Belagavi–Mumbai sector. With even this solitary commercial link now being halted, the airline appears to be winding up its ground operations and presence at Sambra Airport.
Severe Blow to Local Industry and Business
The disruption has drawn sharp reactions from local trade bodies, MSME owners, and frequent corporate travelers. Belagavi serves as a major industrial hub in North Karnataka, hosting thousands of manufacturing, auto-component, textile, and foundry units that depend heavily on direct, fast access to financial hubs like Mumbai.
“Mumbai is our primary commercial lifeline for banking, international trade meetings, and client visits. Losing the direct morning connectivity forces us onto long road journeys or multi-stop layovers via neighboring airports. It hurts Belagavi’s competitiveness as an industrial hub.”
— Local Industrialist & Trade Representative
Local stakeholders have voiced frustration over regional airlines abandoning established routes once government subsidy windows end, despite consistent passenger demand and healthy load factors.
Uncertainty Surrounding Future Schedule
While flight availability shows a complete suspension following mid-August, booking portals tentatively indicate a winter schedule realignment starting late October. However, the airline has issued no official public clarification regarding whether this stoppage is a temporary operational suspension or a permanent exit from Belagavi.
Passengers holding travel plans past August 16 are advised to check directly with the airline or book Indigo Belagavi – Navi Mumbai flight. Meanwhile, local business associations plan to submit representations to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and airport authorities to invite other carriers to operate on the high-demand Mumbai sector.
