Keshod Airport

Overview

Keshod Airport is a domestic airport serving the town of Keshod in the Junagadh district of Gujarat, India. It is operated by the Airports Authority of India and primarily handles regional flights, connecting this part of the Saurashtra peninsula to major cities such as Mumbai. The airport is a convenient entry point for travellers heading to the Gir Forest (home to the Asiatic lion) and the historic Somnath Temple, a Jyotirlinga shrine on the Arabian Sea coast. While modest in size, Keshod Airport provides essential connectivity for tourists, pilgrims, and business visitors, reducing the need for long road journeys from larger airports like Rajkot or Ahmedabad.

Location & Access

Keshod Airport is located on the outskirts of Keshod town, approximately 50 kilometres south-west of Junagadh city and about 80 kilometres north of Somnath. The airport sits in a semi-arid landscape typical of the Saurashtra region, with agricultural fields and scrubland surrounding the runway. The nearest major city is Junagadh, known for its hill fortress Uperkot and the Girnar mountain range. From the airport, travellers can reach Junagadh in about an hour by road, while Somnath and the coastal town of Veraval are about 1.5 hours away. Gir National Park is roughly 60 kilometres south-east of Keshod, accessible via state highways.

By road, the airport is connected via Gujarat State Highway, and local transport options include taxis, auto-rickshaws, and pre-paid cab services available at the terminal. Private vehicles can park in the wheelchair-accessible car park. Public bus services are limited, so most visitors arrange private transport in advance. The airport's location makes it a strategic alternative to the busier airports for those whose destination lies in the southern part of Saurashtra.

Facilities

Keshod Airport is a small facility with basic amenities focused on passenger comfort and accessibility. The following facilities are confirmed:

• Wheelchair-accessible car park: Dedicated parking spaces close to the terminal entrance for passengers with reduced mobility.
• Wheelchair-accessible entrance: Ramps and wide doorways ensure easy access for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
• Wheelchair-accessible toilet: An accessible restroom within the terminal building.
• Baggage storage: Left luggage facilities are available, allowing passengers to store bags for a few hours or a day, which is convenient for those with long layovers or waiting to be picked up.
• Toilet: Standard washroom facilities are clean and maintained.

As a regional domestic airport, amenities are limited. There are no restaurants, shops, or lounges on site, so passengers should bring their own snacks or purchase items before arriving. The terminal is compact, with check-in counters and a waiting area. Security screening and boarding are quick due to low passenger volumes.

About the Region

The region around Keshod is rich in cultural and natural attractions. The most famous draw is the Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, the only place in the world where Asiatic lions live in the wild. The park is about an hour's drive from the airport. Close by is the Devalia Safari Park, a fenced interpretation zone where visitors can see lions and other wildlife in a controlled setting.

Pilgrims visit the Somnath Temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of Lord Shiva, located at the tip of the Saurashtra peninsula. The temple has a dramatic location on the coast and a history dating back millennia. Also nearby is the city of Junagadh, with its 2000-year-old Uperkot Fort and the Buddhist caves of Khapra Kodiya.

The region's economy is based on agriculture (groundnuts, cotton, cumin) and animal husbandry. The coastal towns like Porbandar and Veraval have fishing ports and shipbuilding yards. The airport thus serves a mix of leisure, religious, and business traffic.

Practical Information

• Website: https://www.aai.aero/en/airports/keshod
• Phone: +91 2871 299 109
• Hours: The airport is not open 24 hours. All flights operate within specific time windows, with peak activity observed around 9 pm and 10 pm. Passengers should confirm flight timings with their airline, as the terminal may be closed outside these periods. It is advisable to arrive no more than two hours before departure, as the airport has limited pre-departure amenities.
• Note: Because the airport does not operate every day, travellers must check the schedule for their specific travel date. The facility is closed on days without scheduled flights.

Keshod Airport offers a hassle-free entry point for exploring the wild and sacred landscapes of southern Gujarat. Its compact size means shorter queues and quicker procedures, but visitors should plan ahead for meals and transport.