Arunachal Pradesh: Airport Accessibility And Development Plans

Arunachal Pradesh, the largest state among the seven sisters of Northeastern India, is known for its foxtail orchids and is a paradise for botanists. Despite being a remote state, Arunachal Pradesh does have airports that connect it to the neighbouring states and other parts of India. The state currently has four operational airports, with the first flight landing in 2018. The airports in the state include Donyi Polo Airport, Tezu Airport, Pasighat Airport, and Zero Airport.

Arunachal Pradesh has four operational airports

Arunachal Pradesh, the largest state among the seven sisters of Northeastern India, is known for its orchids and pristine natural beauty. Despite its remote location, the state does have a few functioning airports that connect it to the rest of the country. In fact, Arunachal Pradesh currently has four operational airports.

The first civilian airport in the state is the Tezu Airport, located in the town of Tezu. It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2019 and has a runway of 1,500 metres. The airport offers night landing facilities and is well-connected to other airports in Assam, such as Dibrugarh Airport and Mohanbari Airport.

The second airport is the Pasighat Airport, located in the East Siang district. It is a major airport with a single runway of approximately 2,060 metres. The upgraded airstrip was inaugurated in August 2016, and commercial flights commenced in May 2018, connecting Pasighat to major cities in India.

The third airport is the Donyi Polo Airport, also known as the Hollongi Airport, serving Itanagar, the capital city of Arunachal Pradesh. This airport is located about 14 kilometres south of the city centre and was inaugurated in November 2022. It has a 2,300-metre runway and can accommodate narrow-body aircraft. The airport is equipped with modern amenities, including food and beverage outlets, flight information displays, and accessible facilities for specially-abled passengers.

The fourth airport is the Zero Airport, formerly a military airfield, now converted into a domestic airport. It is located in Zero, Arunachal Pradesh, and has been operational since 1952.

In addition to these four operational airports, there are also plans to develop new airports and upgrade existing airstrips in Arunachal Pradesh to increase tourism and improve connectivity to this remote but beautiful state.

Tezu Airport is the first civilian airport in the state

Arunachal Pradesh, the "Land of Dawn-lit Mountains", is the remotest state in India. The rugged terrain of the state makes transportation challenging. However, there are a few functioning airports in the state, with the rest operating from Assam. Tezu Airport is the first civilian airport in Arunachal Pradesh and is located in the city of Tezu. It serves the adjoining Lohit district of the state.

Tezu Airport is operated by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 9 February 2019. The airport has a 1,500-metre runway, a 4,000-square-metre passenger terminal building capable of handling 300 passengers during peak hours, a double-insulated roofing system, energy-efficient lighting, a solid waste management system, and a water treatment plant, among other facilities. The airport currently provides visual flight rules (VFR) operations during the day only and does not have a night-landing facility.

Tezu Airport was one of five airports shortlisted in 2015 for the implementation of AAI's "no-frills model", which provides only essential services needed for airport operations, ensuring low-cost functionality without compromising safety and security. The airport upgrade, including a runway extension, was approved in 2009-2010 at an estimated cost of ₹79 crore. The upgraded airport was tested with a flight landing on 22 September 2017.

The airport's future development includes a new, bigger passenger terminal, an extended runway, and a new Air Traffic Control (ATC)-cum-fire station complex, which will be completed by 24 September 2023. Tezu Airport is expected to boost tourism in the region, with scheduled commercial domestic flights operating since 19 August 2021.

Itanagar Airport is a Greenfield airport

Arunachal Pradesh, a state in the northeastern region of India, has a few functioning airports. The state, known as the "Orchid State of India", is famous for its foxtail orchids and is termed the "Land of Dawn-lit Mountains".

The Itanagar Airport, also known as Hollongi Airport, is a Greenfield airport. It is a domestic airport that serves the capital of Itanagar and its neighbouring regions. It is owned by the Airports Authority of India and is located in the district of Papum Pare in Arunachal Pradesh. The airport covers a large area of 320 hectares, and its construction began on December 15, 2020, with the foundation stone laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2019.

The airport has a single runway of 2,300 metres, which can accommodate narrow-body aircraft. There are plans to extend the runway to 2,800 metres in the future to support wide-body aircraft. The airport apron, where aircraft are parked and serviced, measures 160 m by 115 m. Two taxiways connect the apron to the runway, facilitating aircraft movement. The airport also has night landing facilities, allowing aircraft to land and take off at night.

The Passenger Terminal at Itanagar Airport has a modular design with essential amenities. It includes a flight information display, parking for 100 cars, food and beverage outlets, a fully air-conditioned building, a public address and voice alarm system, baggage trolley storage, toilets, and facilities for specially-abled people. The terminal building is energy-efficient and features a glass frontage that provides a scenic view of the Himalayas.

The construction of the Itanagar Hollongi Airport is expected to positively impact the real estate and tourism sectors in Arunachal Pradesh. It will attract investors, businesses, and tourists, leading to increased demand for residential and commercial properties in the nearby areas. The airport will also improve connectivity and security in the region, connecting smaller cities with larger cities in Central India.

The Itanagar Airport opened on November 19, 2022, and IndiGo started operating flights to Kolkata and Mumbai from the airport soon after. It is the first Greenfield airport in Arunachal Pradesh and is located 14 km south of the city centre. It can accommodate A320 type aircraft and has a capacity of 200 passengers during peak hours. With its modern facilities and scenic views, the Itanagar Airport is a significant addition to the state's transportation infrastructure, fostering development and benefiting the local community.

Pasighat Airport is a major airport with a single runway

Arunachal Pradesh, the largest among the seven sisters, is a state located in the North-East region of India. It is the remotest part of India, with rugged terrains that make transportation very difficult. Despite this, there are a few functioning airports in the state. Presently, the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh has four operational airports, with the first flight landing in the state in 2018.

The history of the airport dates back to the Sino-Indian War of 1962, when the airstrip was first laid down. However, it saw little use after the war until the Indian Air Force signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Arunachal Pradesh to develop the airstrip in 2009. The upgraded airstrip was inaugurated in August 2016, with a Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet of the Indian Air Force landing as part of the ceremony. The Airports Authority of India operates a civil enclave at Pasighat, with a new passenger terminal built in 2017.

Commercial flights to and from the airport commenced on 21 May 2018, with Alliance Air (India) operating a 42-seater ATR aircraft from Guwahati. The first flight included Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on board. Airlines such as Air India offer flights between Kolkata and Pasighat Airport.

Zero Airport was formerly used for military operations

Arunachal Pradesh, the largest state among the seven sisters of Northeastern India, is known for its orchids and pristine natural beauty. The state has a few functioning airports, with the rest operating from Assam. The state has four operational airports, as well as several military airbases and advanced landing grounds.

One of these airports is the Zero Airport, located in Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh. The Zero Airport was formerly used for military operations of the Indian Air Force. It was opened in 1952 and has since been converted into a domestic airport. The airport has a single terminal and is operated by the Airports Authority of India. The runway at the Zero Airport is 1,195 metres long, and in the past, Airlines like Air India and Vayudoot operated daily flights to the airport.

In 2008, the Ministry of Civil Aviation in India conducted a study on improving the airport. The study found that extending the airstrip to accommodate larger aircraft was not possible due to illegal construction along the boundaries. As a result, a new proposal was made to build a new 2,010-metre-long runway, along with a traffic control tower, a fire station, and a terminal building near the existing airport.

The Zero Airport is one of the several airports in Arunachal Pradesh that belong to the military with a civil enclave. While it is no longer used for military operations, it now serves as a domestic airport, providing air connectivity to the state.

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