Bellary Airport existed as early as 1932, when it figured in an airmail service operated by Tata Airlines (now Air India).

[3] In 2004, the Government of Karnataka decided to permit commercial flights from an airstrip owned by Jindal Vijaynagar Steel Ltd (JVSL) in Toranagallu, 30 kilometres (19 mi) from Bellary.

This decision resulted in protest from some citizens, who felt the airstrip would only benefit JVSL workers and who wanted Bellary Airport to be upgraded instead.

The State Government responded by saying there was no space to extend and widen the runway to make it capable of receiving larger aircraft.

[3] Between December 2006 and 2009, the JVSL airstrip received flights from Bangalore and Goa by Air Deccan and later Kingfisher Red.