West Bengal is a place which is generally on the list of 'must-visit' places of every tourist. Commuting to or from West Bengal is never a problem because the state is well-connected to all the other major states as well as countries domestically and internationally. Nowadays, people prefer to travel by airplane as it saves a lot of time and is convenient for covering larger distances. Having an airport is thereby more of a need than a want. This industry in today's time is one of the major earning industries. West Bengal has a number of domestic as well as international airports and air force stations. Here is a list of them.
Located in Kolkata, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Airport is by far the most famous and recognized airport of West Bengal. Before being given the name of this brave freedom fighter, the airport was known as 'Dum Dum Airport'. It covers an area of 2460 acres and is the largest airport in Eastern India. It is the only international airport apart from Bagdogra Airport in West Bengal. The airport is operated by Airports Authority of India (AAI). 1. Netaji Subhash Chandra Airport (CCU) (International)
Netaji Subhash Chandra Airport is used by IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet and Jet Airways. The airport has flights to Bangladesh, China, Bhutan, Northeast India, Southeast Asia and many more places.
Connectivity and proximity from the main city
It lies at a distance of 17 km from the city centre of Kolkata thereby making it super accessible. All modes of public transport will be available near the city centre.
2. Bagdogra Airport (IXB) (International)
The airport serves as a gateway to the towns of Mirik, Kalimpong, Kurseong, Sikkim and Darjeeling. Bhutan is also easily accessible with this airport. It witnesses a lot of tourists every year. This airport is a major stoppage for connecting flights to Kolkata, New Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai and Guwahati. The airport is administered by Airport Authority of India (AAI).At present, the airport has seven operating airlines including Air India, GoAir, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Vistara, Jet Airways and Druk Air. The Druk Air flight connects West Bengal to the Suvarnabhumi Airport of Bangkok and also Paro International Airport in Bhutan. Bagdogra Airport is the international airport of West Bengal.
Connectivity and proximity from the main city
It is situated at a distance of about 16 km west to the city of Siliguri in Darjeeling in the northern part of West Bengal. The accessibility is good enough and easy to cover for the people of the city.
Connectivity and proximity from the main city
It is situated at a distance of about 16 km west to the city of Siliguri in Darjeeling in the northern part of West Bengal. The accessibility is good enough and easy to cover for the people of the city.
3. Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport (RDP) (Private Airstrip)
Towns such as Burdwan, Bishnupur, Bankura, Suri, Purulia, Shantiniketan, Rampurhat in South Bengal and Dhanbad are all the surrounding areas of the airport. The airport is a part of the first private sector Aerotropolis of the country which is being developed by BAPL. The airport was introduced officially on September 19th, 2013. However, the operations in the airport began from 18th May 2015 by Alliance Air. The building occupies an area of 5750 square meters and can house up to 1 million passengers. The capacity is being increased to 2.5 million. There are six checkout counters at the airport and two conveyor belts for baggage placed in the arrival hall. The airport also has a runway of about 2800 metre which comprises of a CAT I ILS (instrument landing system) and has the capability of handling aircraft including Airbus A320 and Boeing 737. There are four parking lanes and a helipad too on the airport. Security has been taken care of by equipping the airport with category VI firefighting and rescuing ability.Important destinations accessible from the airport
This airport has flights connecting Kolkata to Durgapur to and forth. Alliance Air belonging to Air India was the opening aircraft having a seating capacity of 48 people in an ATR-42 aircraft. Except for Friday, the flights operated daily. However, due to the unavailability of passengers, it was discontinued on 17th June 2016. The officials are currently in talks with Indigo and GoAir to schedule flights connecting Durgapur to Delhi. It might also be a possibility that Air Costa which is a regional carrier might schedule flights between the two cities of Hyderabad, Bangalore and Durgapur for four days a week.
Connectivity and proximity from the main city
This domestic airport is a project under BAPL (Bengal Aerotropolis Projects Limited) and is situated in the city of Andal in West Bengal. The airport is located at a distance of 15 km from city centre in Durgapur and 25 km from the city bus terminus of Asansol. The airport is quite accessible and can be reached by means of local transport easily.
Upcoming Airports in West Bengal
4. Balurghat Airport (RGH) (Domestic)
This airport is spread over an area of 78 hectares and is situated 78 feet above sea level. The runway of the airport has a paved surface and has dimensions 3600 feet by 100 feet (1097m x 30m). At present, the airport can accommodate at most 20 passengers for arrival and 20 passengers for departure. The airport does not have any commercial services as of now. It is administered by the Airport Authority of India.Connectivity and proximity from the main city
Balurghat Airport is a domestic airport which is located at a distance of 6 km from Balurghat which is a city in the state of West Bengal. The airport is quite accessible by all means of local transport in case there is no private vehicle available.
5. Behala Airport (Domestic)
Behala Airport is domestic airport which also serves as a flying school to provide some hands-on training. It is situated in the city of Behala. The airport is commonly known as BFTI (Behala flying training institute) or BFC (Behala flying club). The ministry of civil aviation has decided to expand the runway to about 4,500 feet so as to develop it into a fully commercial property. This is definitely likely to reduce the load on the very famous Netaji Subash Chandra Airport situated in the state. At present, no commercial services are available at the airport. Airport Authority of India manages the operation of the airport. The airport comprises of a runway which has an asphalt surface with 1066 m length and an elevation of 10 m above the sea level.
6. Cooch Behar Airport (COH) (Domestic)
Cooch Behar Airport is a domestic airport which lies in the city named Cooch Behar in the state of West Bengal. It caters more so to the border area of Assam-Bengal. The airport is located 42 m above sea level. It has a single runway with an asphalt surface and measures 3500 ft by 100 ft (1067m x 30m) and does not possess an instrument landing system. Managed by the airport authority of India (AAI), it can accommodate up to 50 passengers during arrival and 50 passengers during departure. Chater Airlines Deccan Aviation offers chartered flights to Kolkata from this airport. However, no flight services are available in this airport at present.Connectivity and proximity from the main city
The airport is situated at a distance of 5 km from the city centre. The location is very much accessible and can be reached by auto, cab in minimum fare.
7. Malda Airport (Domestic)
The airport also comprises of a small runway with the dimensions 3600 feet by 100 feet. Only small aircrafts can be landed on the runway. The terminal can handle maximum 20 passengers during arrival as well as a departure at the same time. The airport is operated by Airports Authority of India.Important destinations accessible from the airport
Weekly services were offered to the passengers till Kolkata and Balurghat. This was operated by Vayudoot till 1989 after which the services were stopped due to unavailability of passengers. At present, no commercial services are present at the airport.
Connectivity and proximity from the main city
This domestic airport lies at a place named Malda in West Bengal. It is situated at a distance of 3 km from the city centre and covers an area of 140 hectares. The short distance makes the airport even more accessible.
8. Panagarh Airport
There is one runway in the airport with an asphalt surface having dimensions 2743 m by 46 m (8999 feet x 151 feet). The process of implementing six tanker aircrafts which can be refuelled in mid-air is taking place at the Panagarh Air Base in West Bengal. The remarkable range of fighter planes including Su- 30 MKIs based in Tezpur and Chhanua in Assam will improve after these tanker aircrafts get successfully deployed in Panagarh as fuel will then be available to them in mid-air too. The airport can also become the headquarters of an army mountain corps.Connectivity and proximity from the main city
Panagarh Defense Airport is an airport which serves the state of Panagarh in West Bengal. Indian Air Force base also gets services from this airport. The airport is situated 73 m above the sea level.
Air Force Stations in West Bengal
9. Barrackpore Air Force Station
Barrackpore Air Force Station is a defence air force base which is situated at a place called Barrackpore in the state of West Bengal. It has been one of the oldest stations in IAF in operating the transport units. Amongst the MI 17 squadrons, one of them is located here. The airport is situated 5 m above the sea level and has one runway with an asphalt surface. The runway is 6250 feet or 1893 m long.
10. Kalaikunda Air Force Station
It was a home to the flying bullets, No. 18 Squadron IAF. Mikoyan MiG-27ML which was Indian licensed was flown by the squadron till the decommissioning in April 2016. The base now comprises of squadron Su-30 MKIs. This air base plays a very important role in the defence of the country. The aircraft based here will be used for planned defence over Andaman and Nicobar Island and the Bay of Bengal. Indian Air Force is also now allowing the civil aircraft to use the existing fighting base runway. It is being planned to start the civil terminal soon which can serve Jharkhand as well as Orissa in addition to West Bengal.
Connectivity and proximity from the main city
Kalaikunda air force station is basically a defence air force base located near Kharagpur in the Midnapore district of West Bengal.
11. Hasimara Air Force Station
The tri-junction between Sikkim, Bhutan and Tibet (also known as Chumbi Valley) lies nearest to this airport. This airport was established in the year 1962 after the Sino-Indian war. The airport completed 50 successful years of operation in April 2013. The air base is home to Squadron IAF No. 22 and Squadron IAF No. 222. The airport lies 630m above the sea level. It has a runway too with a concrete surface having the dimensions 9000 ft by 148 ft.Connectivity and proximity from the main city
Hasimara air force station is another defence airport of the Indian Air Force situated in the Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal. It has been planned and located near the Indo-Bhutan border.
12. Panagarh Airport
There is one runway in the airport with an asphalt surface having dimensions 2743 m by 46 m (8999 feet x 151 feet). The process of implementing six tanker aircraft which can be refuelled in mid-air is taking place at the Panagarh Air Base in West Bengal. The remarkable range of fighter planes including Su- 30 MKIs based in Tezpur and Chhanua in Assam will improve after these tanker aircraft get successfully deployed in Panagarh as fuel will then be available to them in mid-air too. The airport can also become the headquarters of an army mountain corps.
Connectivity and proximity from the main city
Panagarh Defense Airport is an airport which serves the state of Panagarh in West Bengal. Indian Air Force base also gets services from this airport. The airport is situated 73 m above the sea level.
West Bengal is a very welcoming place which offers convenience, safety, hygiene and every factor that a traveller usually requires. Plan a trip to this amazing place and we are sure the state will embrace you with open hands and give you an unforgettable experience!
'Airplane travel is nature's way of making you look like your passport photo?'