Belgaum goes off civil aviation map

Belgaum: Belgaum, touted as the state’s second capital, now has no airport. Civil aircraft have stopped landing at the airport at Sambra village, 13 km from the city since June 17 citing poor patronage.
With this, businessmen, politicians and class-I government employees are bound to suffer.
Kingfisher Airlines, which was operating flights between Belgaum and Bangalore four days a week, stopped services since last Wednesday, as it was incurring losses on the sector.
Air Deccan, which had started services from Belgaum to Mumbai and to Bangalore, attracted a lot of passengers not only from Belgaum, but from the North Karnataka region too as there were no other airports in these parts.
But with the opening of the airport at Hubli and deteriorating services and lack of facilities, Belgaum airport had to fight to stay afloat.
Sambra airport controller refused to give reasons why the airport was shut but staff at the airport said Kingfisher withdrew services due to lack of passengers. “Only seven to eight passengers used to travel in the 30-seater plane,’’ a staffer said.
Now, passengers from Belgaum have to take a flight from Hubli to travel to Bangalore.
20/06/09 Rajan Samuel Hirekop/ExpressBuzz

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Categories: Airports Jun 2009