Ballari’s skies have fallen silent as air services remain suspended for a month, dealing a major blow to trade and tourism in the district. Flights were halted citing a lack of passengers, and airline companies have also withdrawn their staff, forcing travellers to rely on trains and buses instead.
Flights from Jindal Vijayanagar Airport near Toranagal to Bengaluru and Hyderabad have come to a complete stop. The decision, reportedly taken by the airline company due to declining passenger numbers, has caused serious disruption to business and tourism activities in the region.
Ballari is home to several small, medium, and large-scale industries, including JSW, sugar mills, sponge iron factories, and the jeans industry. Hundreds of domestic and international visitors travel to Ballari for trade and industrial purposes. To address the district’s lack of a government airport, flights were being operated from the private Jindal Airport, providing a vital air link to major cities. A daily ATR 72-seater aircraft was operating on the Bengaluru and Hyderabad routes.
However, passenger numbers have dropped significantly in recent months, prompting airlines to suspend operations to avoid losses. While the initial months saw good passenger turnout, flight services have now been completely halted, and reports suggest even the airport staff have been withdrawn.
The suspension has also impacted tourism, which had benefited greatly from air connectivity. Domestic and foreign tourists visiting Hampi, Anjanadri Hills, Anegondi, Tungabhadra Reservoir, and Ballari Fort are now facing travel difficulties.
Nearly 15 years ago, around 900 acres of land between Siruguppa and Chaganur were earmarked for a government airport, but no progress has been made on its construction. Due to the lack of initiative from the government and local representatives, the long-awaited airport remains a distant dream. There is also ongoing debate over whether the airport should be located between Hospet and Ballari.
“Flights from Jindal Airport have been stopped for several days, causing major setbacks to tourism and business. It is essential that local representatives prioritize the stalled airport project,” said Yashwanthraj Nagireddy, President of the Ballari District Chamber of Commerce and Industry.