Kolhapur Airport, Kolhapur

Kolhapur Airport, officially designated as Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj Airport, is named in honor of the former Maharaja of Kolhapur who ruled from 1922 to 1940 and was instrumental in the region's early aviation development. While the site's history dates back to a 1939-era airstrip established for the princely state, the modern facility commenced commercial operations in 1987. In 2018, the Maharashtra state cabinet formally initiated the renaming process to recognize the Maharaja’s legacy. According to Airports Authority of India data for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the airport handled approximately 154,166 passengers, positioning it as an essential regional hub in Western Maharashtra, though it does not yet feature in global traffic rankings. Significant infrastructure milestones include the 2021 extension of the runway to 1,930 meters to accommodate larger aircraft and the inauguration of a new domestic terminal in March 2024. This terminal, which features a four-star GRIHA rating for sustainability, expanded the airport's peak handling capacity to over 500 passengers per hour. As a gateway to a city renowned for its industrial foundries, textile manufacturing, and the historic Mahalakshmi Temple, the airport plays a critical role in supporting Kolhapur’s status as a major commercial and religious center. By providing direct connectivity to metros like Mumbai and Bengaluru, the facility facilitates business travel for the region's sugar and engineering industries while streamlining access for millions of pilgrims and tourists visiting the Sahyadri mountain range.

Airport Information

Kolhapur Airport Address