The completion deadline for the new terminal building at Hubballi Airport has been extended from January to June 2025, according to airport officials. The Airport Director has instructed the contracting company to complete and hand over the international-standard facility within the revised timeline.
Reasons for Delay
The Airports Authority of India sanctioned Rs 300 crore for the project, which was awarded to a Nashik-based company with an initial completion target of 2024. Officials stated that the work was delayed due to multiple factors, including logistical and execution challenges.
Current Progress
Currently, 80% of the building work is complete. The new terminal building will include four new aerobridges, one commercially important person (CIP) lounge, one executive lounge, eight escalators (four of which are in security hold areas), and two VIP lounges. The existing terminal, spanning 3,600 square meters, had a capacity of 500 passengers. The new terminal, covering 19,400 square meters, will handle the arrival and departure of 2,400 passengers at a time.
Aircraft Capacity
Currently, three Airbus aircraft and four ATR aircraft can arrive simultaneously. The new terminal will accommodate an additional seven Airbus aircraft at a time. An apron with a capacity of 10 Airbus and four ATR series aircraft (14 aircraft in total) is under construction.
Hubballi Airport Director Rupesh Kumar told TOI that work on the new terminal is progressing at full speed. Other works, including the new aerobridge escalator, CIP lounge, VIP lounge, executive lounge, and lifts, are pending. Contractors have been instructed to complete and hand over the works by June 30.
For the first time after Bengaluru and Mangaluru in the state, an executive lounge is being built in the new terminal. Travelers will also get new facilities such as aerobridge escalator, lift, CIP, and DIGI Yatra App service at the airport for the first time.
