Keshod Airport, Junagadh: Terminal, Code, Location, Connectivity and Amenities

The Saurashtra coast of Gujarat hides some of India’s most historically layered and naturally significant destinations. Gir National Park — the last refuge of the Asiatic lion — sits within close range. Somnath, one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines, draws pilgrims from across India. Junagadh, with Uparkot Fort and the ancient Ashoka edicts carved into a boulder in the city, is a heritage town of considerable depth. And Veraval, the nearest port, has been a trading gateway since antiquity. All of these lie within reach of Keshod Airport — a small domestic airport with a history stretching back to the nawabs of Junagadh, a gap of two decades without scheduled service, a UDAN-scheme revival in 2022, and a very particular charm as one of Gujarat’s genuinely underused but genuinely useful regional airports.

Quick Overview: Keshod Airport

Keshod Airport Location: Saurashtra’s Southern Coast Hinterland

Keshod Airport is located at Keshod town in Junagadh district, approximately 39 kilometres southwest of Junagadh city, 4 kilometres northeast of Keshod town centre, and 50 kilometres north of Veraval. The coordinates are 21°19′01″N, 70°16′13″E, at an elevation of 167 feet above mean sea level — typical of Saurashtra’s low-lying coastal hinterland terrain.

The airport’s catchment covers a region of unusual tourism density for what is otherwise a lightly connected part of Gujarat. Gir National Park, where the last wild population of Asiatic lions lives, is approximately 60 to 70 km from the airport. Somnath Temple is approximately 75 km south. The Girnar mountain with its Jain and Hindu temples is on the outskirts of Junagadh. This cluster of natural and heritage attractions gives Keshod Airport a tourism case that is strong on paper but has historically been underserved by aviation connectivity.

The airport was originally built by the Nawab of Junagadh, Mahabatkhanji III, in the early 1930s for his private use — acquiring land from the Kotadia, Ladani, and Vanpariya Patel communities. It was refurbished and revived in the late 1980s for scheduled commercial operations before falling dormant again after Jet Airways ceased flying here in October 2000. That 22-year gap ended in April 2022 when Alliance Air launched the first post-revival scheduled service under the UDAN scheme.

Keshod Airport Code: IATA IXK and ICAO VAKS

The airport’s IATA code is IXK and its ICAO code is VAKS. IXK is the booking identifier used in airline systems for Keshod and its served cities of Junagadh and Veraval. VAKS places it in the VA western India block. The airport appears on booking platforms under both “Keshod” and “Junagadh” in different systems — both names refer to the same facility with the same codes.

Keshod Airport Terminal: Small But Functional, Expansion Pending

Keshod Airport’s current terminal is very small — original sources describe a peak capacity of approximately 25 passengers at a time, which reflects its pre-UDAN revival configuration. After the April 2022 restart, the facility has been operational for Alliance Air’s ATR-class services and handles the modest passenger volumes consistent with a revived UDAN-scheme airport.

Plans for expansion have been discussed. In November 2025, plans were announced to repurpose the old terminal as a dedicated cargo facility for mango exports from the Saurashtra region once a new terminal is built. Keshod Airport sits in one of Gujarat’s significant mango production zones, and the dedicated cargo facility for agricultural exports — particularly Gir Kesar mangoes, which carry a Geographical Indication tag — represents a practical economic add-on to passenger operations.

The airport spreads over 450 acres, providing considerable space for future expansion. A new terminal building, when constructed, would allow the airport to handle the tourism traffic that the Gir–Somnath–Girnar destination cluster could in theory generate. As of mid-2026, the expansion had been discussed at planning and announcement stages without confirmed construction commencement.

Alliance Air resumed operations at Keshod in October 2025 after a period of suspension, reflecting the intermittent service pattern common to thin-route UDAN airports where airline operational decisions directly determine whether flights run in a given period.

Keshod Airport Connectivity: Alliance Air and the Saurashtra South Tourism Belt

By Air: Alliance Air is the sole scheduled commercial carrier at Keshod Airport. The airline resumed operations in October 2025 after prior suspensions and operates routes connecting Keshod to major cities in the Alliance Air UDAN network. Current active routes and schedules should be verified directly with Alliance Air before travel, as UDAN routes at small regional airports are among the most variable in India’s aviation calendar — service suspensions and restarts have been part of this airport’s post-2022 history.

By Road: Road connections from Keshod town and the airport to Junagadh (39 km), Veraval (50 km), and Porbandar (approximately 100 km) provide access to the airport from the broader Saurashtra region. Taxis and state buses connect the airport to nearby towns. Gir National Park can be accessed from the airport in approximately 1 to 1.5 hours by road via Junagadh or Sasan Gir.

By Rail: Keshod Railway Station is nearby and connected to the Rajkot–Veraval rail line, which provides access to Rajkot (approximately 120 km) and onward connections toward Ahmedabad. Junagadh Railway Station, 39 km from the airport, has additional rail connectivity.

Nearest Alternative Airports: Rajkot International Airport (HSR) at Hirasar is approximately 120 km north and serves as the nearest major aviation hub for the Saurashtra region with jet-class commercial connectivity.

Keshod Airport Amenities: Basic Facilities at a Revived UDAN Airport

Keshod Airport’s amenities are minimal and appropriate for an airport handling under 20,000 passengers annually from a small terminal. Basic passenger facilities include check-in counter service for Alliance Air, security screening, a waiting area, and restrooms. Clean drinking water is confirmed as available — this being explicitly noted reflects the airport’s very basic infrastructure profile.

There are no tea or coffee shops, no snack bars in a formal commercial sense, no commercial lounge, and no duty-free retail. Shopping outlets are available near the airport outside the terminal for basic items. Baggage services for the ATR-class operations Alliance Air runs here are provided. Travellers should plan to eat before arriving at the airport or bring provisions for the flight.

Ground transport from the airport to Keshod town and onward to Junagadh and Veraval is by local taxi. No formal pre-paid taxi desk or app-based cab system operates at this scale of airport. Arranging transport in advance — particularly for Gir National Park safaris, which require early morning departures — is strongly advisable.

FAQs: Keshod Airport

Q1. What is the IATA code for Keshod Airport?

The IATA code is IXK and the ICAO code is VAKS. The airport also appears as Junagadh Airport or Junagarh Airport in some booking systems and references.

Q2. Which cities does Keshod Airport serve?

Keshod Airport serves Junagadh (39 km away), Keshod town (4 km), and Veraval (50 km). It is the primary air gateway for the Gir National Park and Somnath Temple region.

Q3. Is there scheduled airline service currently at Keshod Airport?

Alliance Air operates scheduled services at Keshod. The airline resumed operations in October 2025 after a suspension. UDAN routes here have been intermittent — always confirm current schedules directly with Alliance Air before booking.

Q4. What is the historical background of Keshod Airport?

The airport was originally built by the Nawab of Junagadh, Mahabatkhanji III, in the early 1930s for personal use. It served scheduled commercial operations in the late 1980s and 1990s before the last flight departed in October 2000 when Jet Airways ceased operations. Commercial service resumed in April 2022 under the UDAN scheme.

Q5. Are there plans to expand Keshod Airport?

Yes. Plans include a new terminal building (with the old terminal converted to dedicated agricultural cargo — particularly for Gir Kesar mango exports) and expansion of passenger handling capacity. As of mid-2026, construction details and timelines were at announcement stages without confirmed execution dates.