Belagavi Airport (IXG) Guide 2026: Flights, the New Terminal and Getting Into the City
By Aarav Sharma (Aarav Sharma covers Indian airline operations, airport infrastructure and route economics. He writes about Tier-1 and Tier-2 airport developments, IndiGo and Air India fleet strategy, and the unsung Indian aviation hubs travellers should know about.) · Published · Last updated · 10 min read
Belagavi Airport (IXG) is north Karnataka's UDAN success story, with a big new terminal nearing completion and a growing route map on Star Air, IndiGo, Air India and Alliance Air. Here's the 2026 guide.
Quick answer
Belagavi Airport (IATA: IXG), also called Sambre Airport, is the main airport for north Karnataka. As of June 2026 it is served by Star Air, IndiGo, Air India and Alliance Air, with Star Air having the largest footprint thanks to UDAN regional routes. A big new terminal is nearing completion (reported around 78% built and due to be operational in 2026), with extra aircraft bays designed to lift capacity toward 3.5 million passengers a year. IndiGo announced daily Belagavi–Navi Mumbai (NMI) flights from March 2026. Verify live routes and fares in the FlightGPT chat. Official site: Airports Authority of India.
Belagavi as a UDAN success story
Belagavi is one of the clearest examples of what India's UDAN regional-connectivity scheme set out to achieve: take a sizeable tier-2 city with latent demand and connect it to the rest of the country with viable-gap-funded routes. Belagavi sits at the corner of Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa, serving a large catchment of north Karnataka and parts of Maharashtra. Star Air built much of its early network here, and routes such as Belagavi–Ahmedabad and Belagavi–Jaipur were bolstered with UDAN support. The result is an airport that punches above its weight for a non-metro.
Flights and airlines from IXG in 2026
The carriers serving Belagavi as of June 2026 are Star Air, IndiGo, Air India and Alliance Air, between them connecting IXG to a spread of cities:
- IndiGo — including daily Belagavi–Navi Mumbai (NMI) from March 2026, plus other metro links
- Star Air — the regional specialist, with UDAN routes such as Ahmedabad and Jaipur and other tier-2 connections
- Air India / Alliance Air — additional metro and regional links
Routes and frequencies change as the new terminal opens and capacity grows, so confirm before booking. Compare options in the FlightGPT chat and see our tier-2 flights guide.
The new terminal
Belagavi's current terminal is small, which is exactly why the new one matters. The expansion — reported around 78% complete and slated to open in 2026 — adds a far larger passenger building plus around 12 additional aircraft bays, designed to raise capacity to roughly 3.5 million passengers a year. That positions Belagavi to add more airlines and routes (carriers including IndiGo, Star Air, Air India and others are expanding here) and to handle the growth UDAN unlocked. Until the new terminal is fully live, expect the compact existing building; check for any transitional changes before you fly.
Inside the airport and facilities
The existing terminal is a functional small-airport building: check-in, security, a modest departure area, basic food and beverage and parking. It's quick to move through outside peak banks. Arrive about 90 minutes to 2 hours before a domestic departure. As the new terminal opens, expect a substantial upgrade in space, retail and comfort. Lounge access for eligible card-holders is limited at small airports — see our lounge-access guide to check.
Getting into Belagavi city
The airport is a short drive from the city. App cabs, prepaid taxis and autos are available at the terminal. Belagavi is also well connected by rail and road, and its position near the Goa border makes it a handy alternative gateway for parts of north Goa and the Konkan, as well as for Maharashtra towns like Kolhapur. If you're combining destinations, factor those drives in and compare flight-plus-road options in the FlightGPT chat.
Frequently asked questions
Which airlines fly from Belagavi Airport in 2026?
As of June 2026, Star Air, IndiGo, Air India and Alliance Air operate from Belagavi (IXG). Star Air has the largest footprint via UDAN routes, while IndiGo added daily Belagavi–Navi Mumbai flights from March 2026.
Is there a new terminal at Belagavi Airport?
Yes. A large new terminal is nearing completion — reported around 78% built and due to open in 2026 — with extra aircraft bays designed to lift capacity toward 3.5 million passengers a year. The compact existing terminal operates until then.
What is Belagavi Airport's IATA code?
Belagavi Airport's IATA code is IXG. It is also known as Sambre Airport and serves the city of Belagavi (Belgaum) and a wide catchment across north Karnataka and parts of Maharashtra.
Can I use Belagavi Airport to reach Goa?
Belagavi sits near the Goa border and can serve as an alternative gateway for parts of north Goa and the Konkan by road, though Goa's own airports are usually more direct. Compare flight-plus-road options for your route in the FlightGPT chat.
How do I get from Belagavi Airport to the city?
The airport is a short drive from the city centre. Use app cabs, prepaid taxis or autos available at the terminal. Belagavi is also well connected by rail and road for onward travel.