Amravati Airport,is an upcoming airport in Amravati, Maharashtra. It is located in Belora, Amravati, 15 km (9.3 mi) south of Amravati city and Amravati railway station. Once operational, it will be the third commercial airport under the Maharashtra Airport Development Company.[1][2]

Amravati Airport
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerGovernment of Maharashtra
OperatorMaharashtra Airport Development Company
ServesAmravati
LocationBelora, Maharashtra, India
Elevation AMSL1,125 ft / 343 m
Coordinates20°48′48″N 077°43′04″E / 20.81333°N 77.71778°E / 20.81333; 77.71778
Map
Amravati Airport is located in Maharashtra
Amravati Airport
Amravati Airport
Amravati Airport is located in India
Amravati Airport
Amravati Airport
Map
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
08/26 6,102 1,850

The airport covers an area of 389 hectares and features a runway measuring 1850 meters in length and 45 meters in width, designated as 08/26. It includes a taxiway measuring 163 meters by 18 meters and an apron with dimensions of 100 meters by 110 meters. The terminal building spans 2600 square meters, and the air traffic control (ATC) tower stands at a height of 26 meters. As of the present, work on the installation of a night landing facility is ongoing.[3]

History

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The airstrip, constructed by the Public Works Department in 1992,[4] was taken over by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) in August 1997 and later transferred to the Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC).[5] In February 2014, the Maharashtra government decided to lease the airport to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for 60 years for a monthly rent of Rs 100,000. The AAI will develop the airport over three years. The runway will be extended to 2,500 metres suitable for landing Airbus A-320 aircraft.[6]

Land acquisition process began in early 2010s and was completed by 2013. But due to lack of funds, development work could not begin till 2019. In year 2019, the foundation stone was laid for the development of the airport. The planned work involved extension of runway of 1850 meters in first phase, Construction of apron of 110 by 120 meters, isolation bay and taxiway and a new terminal building. As of August 2023, the works of runway extension, apron and taxiway has been completed and work of the terminal building is in progress. Development of night landing facility is still pending due to lack of approvals and funds from the government. [7]

In February 2011, the Nagpur Flying Club applied to the Director General of Civil Aviation for permission to relocate its flying operations to Amravati Airport.[8][9] However, after a delay of 13 years, it was reported by, The Times of India in May 2024 that the Maharashtra Airport Development Company had approved the club's shift to Morwa Airport in Chandrapur, instead of Amravati.[10]

Flying Training Organization

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Air India, operated by the Tata Group, was awarded a tender by the MADC to establish and manage what is set to become Indian subcontinent's largest Flying Training Organization (FTO) at Amravati Airport.[11] The FTO, licensed by the DGCA (India) for a 30-year period, is expected to become operational by mid-2026. The project, involving an investment of over Rs 200 crore, is anticipated to train 180 commercial pilots annually. The facility will be equipped with 31 single-engine and 3 twin-engine aircraft for training purposes. This marks the first FTO to be established by an Indian airline. The development is part of ongoing infrastructure upgrades at Amravati Airport in collaboration with MADC.[12][13]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Joy Sengupta (20 April 2024). "Amravati airport to be operational from July". The Times of India. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  2. ^ Ashish Roy (4 February 2020). "Amravati-Mum regular flights from next year". The Times of India. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  3. ^ "AMRAVATI (BELORA) GREENFIELD AIRPORT". Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  4. ^ "Airstrips in Maharashtra". Maharashtra Public Works Department. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  5. ^ "M.I.D.C." Archived from the original on 28 March 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
  6. ^ "Maha cabinet approves Amravati airport upgradation plan". Business Standard. 18 February 2014. Retrieved 19 February 2014.
  7. ^ "अमरावती विमानतळासाठी केंद्र सरकारचीही 'उडवाउडवी'! पंधरा वर्षांपासून कामे रखडली". Loksatta (in Marathi). 5 August 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  8. ^ "Flying Club shifting ops to Amravati". The Times of India. 23 February 2011. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
  9. ^ "Nagpur flying club may shift flying to Amravati". Times of India. 21 May 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2014.
  10. ^ Shishir Arya (9 May 2024). "Amravati Airport's First Take Off Likely July-Aug". The Times of India. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  11. ^ Yogesh Naik (2 July 2024). "Air India to set up South Asia's largest flying school in Amravati". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  12. ^ "Air India to start own flying school, in a first in country". The Economic Times. 18 June 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  13. ^ Jagriti Chandra (1 July 2024). "Air India announces its flying training school in Amaravati". The Hindu. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
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