Hubli Airport

2021-08-19T09:56:56Z

59.97.5.200:

{{short description|Airport in Karnataka, India}}
{{EngvarB|date=May 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}}
{{Infobox airport
| name = Hubballi 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 = Hubballi-Dharwad, [[Karnataka]], [[India]]
| 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 = {{URL|http://www.aai.aero/allAirports/hubli_generalinfo.jsp|Official website}}
| metric-rwy =
| r1-number = 08/26
| r1-length-f = 8,500
| r1-length-m = 2600
| r1-surface = [[Asphalt]]/[[Concrete]]
| stat-year = April 2020 - March 2021
| stat1-header = Passengers
| stat1-data = 1,19,072 ({{decrease}}74.9%)
| stat2-header = Aircraft movements
| stat2-data = 2,489 ({{decrease}}64.2%)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k20Annex3.pdf
|title=Archived copy |access-date=30 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501224637/https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k20Annex2.pdf |archive-date=30 May 2020 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| stat3-header = Airport rank
| stat3-data = 49 ({{decrease}}4)
| footnotes =
}}
'''Hubballi Airport''' {{airport codes|HBX|VOHB}} is a [[domestic airport]] serving the twin cities of [[Hubli]] and [[Dharwad]] in the state of [[Karnataka]], India. It is situated on Gokul Road, 8 kilometres from Hubballi and {{Convert|20|km|}} from Dharwad.It is connected with 10 destinations throughout the country. Hubballi Airport has been made self-reliant in terms of electricity generation with the commissioning of a 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 Hubballi 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>

== 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}}</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|588|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|615|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 upgradation 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 |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=2017-12-13 |access-date=2018-04-18}}</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=2018-04-20}}</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=2017-06-16 |title=Airports Authority of India |access-date=2018-08-06}}</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=2017-12-13 |access-date=2018-04-20}}</ref> The apron can now handle three A319/A320/B737 or 5 ATR-72 sized aircraft at a time.{{citation needed|date=April 2018}}

===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}}</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
| [[Alliance Air (India)|Alliance Air]]| [[Rajiv Gandhi International Airport|Hyderabad]]
| [[Air India]]| [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport|Mumbai]]
| [[IndiGo]]| [[Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport|Ahmedabad]], [[Kempegowda International Airport|Bangalore]], [[Chennai International Airport|Chennai]], [[Goa International Airport|Goa]], [[Kannur International Airport|Kannur]], [[Kochi International Airport|Kochi]], [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport|Mumbai]]
|[[Star Air (India)|Star Air]]| [[Kempegowda International Airport|Bangalore]], [[Hindon Airport|Ghaziabad]], [[Tirupati Airport|Tirupati]] }}

== 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. airport. 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 Hubballi airport. The hotel has 90 plush and spacious rooms and suites. The hotel also encompasses 2 restaurants, an electric bar and longue, an outdoor swimming pool, a well-equipped gymnasium and a spa. The hotel has 4800 sq. ft. of banquet spaces along with around 15,000 sq. ft. of lush green party lawns. It’s modern banquet halls come with a spacious pre-function area, dedicated entry, and ample parking. The hotel also features two well-equipped board rooms ideal for corporate meetings, presentations, brain-storming sessions and discussions.<ref>https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2021/04/20/fortune-hotels-opens-new-property-in-hubballi/</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=2018-10-21}}</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://web.archive.org/web/20170902040832/http://www.aai.aero/allAirports/hubli_generalinfo.jsp 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]]

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Hubli Airport