Kolhapur is one of Maharashtra’s most culturally rooted cities — known for the Mahalakshmi Temple (one of the Shakti Peethas), the Rajwada palace complex, Kolhapuri chappals that supply leather markets across India, and a wrestling tradition that feeds the state’s akhadas. It is also the sugar capital of Maharashtra and the commercial anchor for southern Sangli, Ichalkaranji’s textile industry, and the Karad region. Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj Airport — named after the former Maharaja of Kolhapur who ruled from 1922 to 1940 and played a direct role in the region’s early aviation development — handles around 1.59 lakh passengers annually and connects the city to Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Tirupati. With a runway extended to 2,300 metres, a new domestic terminal inaugurated in March 2024, and a feasibility study for international status underway, the airport is on a quiet but steady upgrade path.
Quick Overview: Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj Airport
| Detail | Information |
| Official Name | Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj Airport |
| Also Known As | Kolhapur Airport |
| Location | Ujlaiwadi, Kolhapur, Maharashtra |
| IATA Code | KLH |
| ICAO Code | VAKP |
| Owner/Operator | Airports Authority of India (AAI) |
| Opened | 1987 (site dates to 1939 princely airstrip) |
| Renamed | Maharashtra resolution 2018; formally adopted |
| Runway Designation | 07/25 |
| Runway Length | 2,300 m (asphalt; extended from 1,930 m) |
| Elevation | 606 m / 1,988 ft AMSL |
| Coordinates | 16°39′53″N, 74°17′22″E |
| Distance from City | ~9 km southeast |
| Serves | Kolhapur, Ichalkaranji, Sangli, Karad |
| Passengers (2024–25) | 1,58,966 (+0.8% YoY) |
| Aircraft Movements (2024–25) | 3,433 (+8.2% YoY) |
| Current Airlines | IndiGo, Star Air |
| Active Routes | Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Tirupati |
Kolhapur Airport Location: Southern Maharashtra’s Aviation Anchor
Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj Airport is located at Ujlaiwadi, approximately 9 kilometres southeast of Kolhapur city centre. The coordinates are 16°39′53″N, 74°17′22″E, at an elevation of 606 metres above sea level — the elevated Deccan plateau terrain that characterises this part of southern Maharashtra. The airport is accessible from the city via well-maintained roads with average travel time of 20 to 30 minutes by taxi or auto-rickshaw.
The catchment is broader than Kolhapur city alone. Ichalkaranji — one of India’s largest textile manufacturing centres, just 25 km away — generates substantial business travel demand. Sangli (approximately 55 km north) and Karad (approximately 50 km northeast) are both significant commercial towns that use KLH as their nearest airport. For visitors, the Mahalakshmi Temple is approximately 10 km from the airport, the Kolhapur Palace (New Palace/Shahu Maharaj Museum) is approximately 11 km, and Panhala Fort — a historically significant Maratha stronghold — is approximately 30 km northwest.
Kolhapur Airport Code: IATA KLH and ICAO VAKP
The IATA code is KLH and the ICAO code is VAKP. KLH appears across all airline booking platforms under both “Kolhapur” and “Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj Airport.” VAKP places it in the VA western India block. The renaming from Kolhapur Airport to Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj Airport was initiated by a Maharashtra Legislative Assembly resolution in March 2018, honouring the Maharaja whose patronage helped establish early civil aviation in the Kolhapur princely state.
Kolhapur Airport Terminal: New Building, Upgraded Runway
The airport’s physical transformation over the past few years has been meaningful. The runway was extended and now stands at 2,300 metres — long enough for full-load ATR-72 turboprop operations and capable of handling smaller regional jets when scheduling demand warrants. A new domestic terminal was inaugurated in March 2024, replacing the older building that had served passengers since 1987. The new terminal is a single-building facility handling both arrivals and departures. The layout is intuitive and compact: check-in counters sit near the entrance, followed by security screening, and a departure lounge. Arrivals feed into a baggage claim area and exit toward the taxi bay. Processing at KLH is notably fast — at 1.59 lakh annual passengers, queues are short and the end-to-end terminal experience is typically complete in well under an hour.
An August 2025 meeting between Rajya Sabha MP Dhananjay Mahadik and Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol resulted in a directive for a feasibility study on runway extension and international airport status for Kolhapur. If this progresses, KLH could eventually handle direct Gulf flights — a commercially logical prospect given Kolhapur and Sangli’s substantial labour diaspora in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait.
Kolhapur Airport Connectivity: Four Cities, Two Airlines
By Air: IndiGo and Star Air operate all scheduled services from KLH. Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Tirupati are the active domestic routes. Mumbai is the most commercially important connection — it puts Kolhapur’s textile and industrial business community on the financial capital’s doorstep in approximately 1 hour versus 7 hours by road. Tirupati connectivity serves the strong Vaishnava pilgrim traffic from Kolhapur’s religious community. Confirm current flight schedules and frequencies with the airlines before booking, as regional schedules are adjusted seasonally.
By Road: Taxis, Ola, Uber, and MSRTC buses serve the airport from the city. Mumbai is approximately 380 km via NH-48 (6 to 7 hours). Pune is approximately 230 km (4 to 5 hours). Goa’s North Goa beaches are approximately 200 km via NH-48 (3.5 to 4 hours). The Kolhapur city bus stand is approximately 10 km from the airport.
By Rail: Kolhapur Railway Station (Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Terminus, CST Kolhapur) is approximately 11 km northwest of the airport. The station is on the Miraj–Kolhapur section of the Southern Railway zone, with direct trains to Pune (approximately 5 hours), Mumbai (approximately 9 hours via Miraj junction), and connections to Bengaluru and Hyderabad via Miraj.
Kolhapur Airport Amenities: Clean, Efficient Regional Terminal
The March 2024 terminal brings a noticeably improved passenger experience. Inside, check-in counters handle IndiGo and Star Air operations smoothly. Security screening is efficient. The departure lounge has adequate seating with charging facilities. Food and beverage options — a café counter serving snacks, chai, coffee, and light meals — are available within the departure area. Restrooms are clean and maintained. ATMs are accessible near the terminal. Trolleys are available. Wheelchair assistance is in place.
There is no commercial lounge, no duty-free, and no large retail section — proportionate to an airport at this traffic level. Parking for private vehicles and taxis is available outside the terminal. For pilgrims heading to Mahalakshmi Temple, the airport’s proximity and fast processing make it one of the more convenient arrival points in western Maharashtra for same-day temple visits.
FAQs: Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj Airport
Q1. What is the IATA code for Kolhapur Airport?
The IATA code is KLH and the ICAO code is VAKP. The official name is Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj Airport, located at Ujlaiwadi about 9 km southeast of Kolhapur city.
Q2. Which airlines and routes operate from Kolhapur Airport?
IndiGo and Star Air currently serve Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Tirupati. Confirm current schedules before booking as frequencies adjust seasonally.
Q3. Who was Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj?
Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj was the Maharaja of Kolhapur from 1922 to 1940. He was a member of the Bhosale royal lineage and actively supported early aviation and modernisation in the Kolhapur princely state. The airport was renamed in his honour following a 2018 Maharashtra Legislative Assembly resolution.
Q4. How far is Kolhapur Airport from the Mahalakshmi Temple?
The Mahalakshmi Temple (Ambabai Temple) is approximately 10 km from the airport — around 20 to 25 minutes by taxi. It is one of the 108 Shakti Peethas and a major pilgrimage site.
Q5. Is there a plan to make Kolhapur Airport international?
Yes. A government directive issued in August 2025 ordered a feasibility study for runway extension and international airport status for Kolhapur. No timeline or construction plan has been confirmed as of mid-2026.
