Kolhapur’s airport uses the IATA code KLH and sits roughly 9 km southeast of the city. Scheduled flights there have been operated by IndiGo and Star Air, linking Kolhapur with cities such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Ahmedabad. Routes change often, so check the airline schedule before booking. Belgaum and Pune are the usual fallback airports.
Updated October 2026 · HappyFares
Kolhapur is best known for the Mahalakshmi (Ambabai) temple, and many visitors now reach it by air instead of the long road or rail journey from the big metros. Here is how the airport works and what to do when your date has no direct flight.
What is the airport code for Kolhapur?
The airport code is KLH (ICAO code VAKP). You may see “KOP” mentioned online, but that is the station code of the Kolhapur railway station, Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Terminus, and not the airport. When you search for flights, use KLH or simply type Kolhapur and pick the airport option.
The airport is at Ujlaiwadi, about 9 km southeast of the city centre, so a taxi or auto ride to most hotels is short. A new terminal building was inaugurated in March 2024.
Which airlines fly to Kolhapur?
Kolhapur is a small regional airport, so the choice is limited. Public route listings show IndiGo flying to Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Navi Mumbai, and Star Air flying to Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Bengaluru. Listings from different sources do not fully agree, which is normal for a regional airport where routes are added, paused and restarted.
- Expect a small number of flights a day at most, and some routes may not run every day.
- Most flights are on smaller aircraft, so check baggage rules for your specific fare.
- If your preferred airline is not listed for your date, look at the other airlines before widening the search to other airports.
Did you know? Regional airports like Kolhapur often started scheduled service again under the government’s UDAN regional connectivity scheme, which is why routes can look different from year to year.
Is a connecting flight better than a direct one?
Often, yes. If you are coming from Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata or another city that has no direct Kolhapur flight, the usual pattern is to connect through Mumbai, Bengaluru or Hyderabad. Book the whole trip on one ticket where you can. That way the airline looks after you if the first flight runs late and you miss the second.
Leave a comfortable gap between flights. A long layover is annoying, but a missed connection on a small route can cost you a day because there may be no later flight to Kolhapur.
What if there is no flight to Kolhapur on my dates?
Two larger airports are the common alternatives. Belgaum (Belagavi) is roughly 110 km from Kolhapur by road. Pune is roughly 230 km by road. Pune usually has far more flights and airlines, and many travellers pick it for the choice and then continue by road or train.
- Pune: more flights and more airlines, but a longer road or rail journey of several hours.
- Belgaum: closer, but a smaller airport, so check that your dates have flights.
- Kolhapur by train: the Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Terminus is a railhead, so a flight to Pune followed by a train is another option.
If you do fly into Pune or Belgaum, arrange your onward ride before you land, because late evening arrivals leave fewer public transport choices. Road times vary a lot with traffic, weather and festival crowds, so add a buffer rather than relying on a single estimate.
How do I plan a Mahalakshmi temple visit around my flight?
The Mahalakshmi temple, also called Ambabai, is the main reason many people fly in, and Kolhapur is sometimes called “Dakshin Kashi” because of the shrine’s long standing. Temples get busier around major festivals and weekends, so if you are travelling for darshan, check the temple’s own notices for timings and crowd advice.
A few practical points:
- Book flights early for festival weeks. Regional routes have few seats.
- Keep your return flight on a later slot than you think you need, since darshan queues are hard to predict.
- Web check-in and airport check-in are free on Indian airlines, so there is no need to pay anyone to do it for you.
- Carry a valid photo ID for every adult passenger.
Common Questions
Is Kolhapur Airport an international airport?
No. Kolhapur Airport handles domestic scheduled flights. For international trips, fly to a larger airport such as Mumbai, Pune or Bengaluru first.
How far is the airport from the city?
About 9 km southeast of the city, so most local rides are short.
Which airlines have flown from Kolhapur recently?
IndiGo and Star Air are the carriers shown in public route listings. Confirm current routes on the airline’s own schedule before you plan around a specific flight.
Is Pune a good alternative?
Pune is roughly 230 km from Kolhapur by road and has many more flights. It works well if your dates have no Kolhapur service and you are happy with a road or rail leg.
Do I need to pay for web check-in?
No. Checking in is free, on the web or at the airport.
Can I fly to Kolhapur from Delhi directly?
Direct Delhi flights were not listed in the public route tables at the time of writing, so confirm with the airlines. Most travellers connect through Mumbai, Bengaluru or Hyderabad.
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Airline routes, rules and fees change. Verify current specifics with the airline, DGCA or the airport before you travel.
