Passenger footfall at Belagavi (IXG) Airport witnessed a steep decline in July 2026, touching its lowest level of the calendar year. According to the latest monthly traffic report published by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the airport handled 16,032 passengers, marking a sharp 32.2% drop compared to June 2026 (23,657 passengers) and a steep 43% contraction from its peak in April (28,116 passengers).
Aircraft movements also contracted significantly to 302 flights during the month, matching the yearly low recorded in February.
Monthly Performance Breakdown (Jan–July 2026)
| Month | Passenger Footfall | Aircraft Movements | Cargo (MT) |
| Jan-2026 | 21,645 | 327 | 0.9 |
| Feb-2026 | 22,578 | 302 | 0.4 |
| Mar-2026 | 25,270 | 350 | 2.3 |
| Apr-2026 | 28,116 | 429 | 2.8 |
| May-2026 | 28,103 | 396 | 2.1 |
| Jun-2026 | 23,657 | 350 | 2.5 |
| July-2026 | 16,032 | 302 | 1.9 |
Key Drivers Behind the Slump
- Route Rationalization & Reduced Connectivity:The downturn follows the withdrawal of operations by regional carriers like Star Air and selective capacity rationalization by major operators. Belagavi, which previously offered direct connectivity to over a dozen destinations, has seen its scheduled network shrink to only a handful of direct routes.
- Seasonal Demand Shifts:Following the peak summer holiday and business travel surge in April and May, regional leisure travel tapered off across northern Karnataka.
- Cargo Performance:Freight volumes eased to 1.9 metric tonnes (MT) in July, down from 2.5 MT in June, though overall freight operations remain considerably higher than early Q1 levels.
Recovery Outlook
Airport stakeholders anticipate traffic to rebound heading into the upcoming festive season and the winter schedule, driven by additional airline capacity additions and route restorations aimed at connecting Belagavi back to major metro hubs.
