Roberta Aguirre
Bathinda, also known as Bhatinda, is a city in Punjab, India. It is one of the oldest cities in the state and is nicknamed the 'City of Lakes'. The city has an airport, Bhatinda Airport (IATA: BUP, ICAO: VIBT), which is located about 16 kilometres (9.9 miles) from the city. The airport is primarily used for military purposes but also offers limited commercial flights. The airport has basic facilities, including a 1,200-square-metre terminal for commercial flights, with a capacity for 100 passengers. Bhatinda Airport is well-connected to other major cities in India, with airlines such as Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet operating flights to destinations like Chennai, Hyderabad, and Mumbai.
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What You'll Learn
- Bathinda Airport is located 16 kilometres north-west of the city
- It is a small airport, primarily used for military purposes
- The airport has a 1,200-square-metre terminal for commercial flights
- The Airports Authority of India is responsible for creating, upgrading, and maintaining the airport
- The airport is well-connected to other major cities in India by air route
Bathinda Airport is located 16 kilometres north-west of the city
Bathinda Airport is located 16 kilometres (9.9 miles) north-west of the city of Bathinda, near the village of Killi Nihal Singh Wala. The airport is also known as Bhatinda Airport and has the IATA code BUP. It is a small airport, primarily used for military purposes, but also offers limited commercial flights.
The airport functions as a civil enclave at the Bhisiana Air Force Station, which was built in 1975. The Indian Air Force continues to provide air traffic control and emergency services for the airport. The airport has a 1,200-square-metre (13,000 sq ft) terminal for commercial flights, which features a VIP lounge, two check-in counters, a 30-seater security area, and two conveyor belts. A parking lot for 25 cars is also under construction.
The airport is located approximately 20 kilometres from the city bus stand, and there are direct bus services operated by the PEPSU Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) to the city. The nearest bus station is 2 kilometres from the airport. By road, the airport is connected to the city via NH-7. The nearest railway station is located 7.5 kilometres from the airport, and taxi, shuttle, and bus services will soon connect the two.
The airport currently only operates domestic flights, connecting the city to other major Indian cities such as Delhi, Ghaziabad, Dehradun, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Goa. The airport is under development, with a new domestic terminal recently completed and work ongoing to build new terminals, including an international terminal.
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It is a small airport, primarily used for military purposes
Bathinda Airport is a small airport, primarily used for military purposes. It is located in the city of Bathinda, in the state of Punjab, India. The airport is situated about 16 kilometres (9.9 miles) north-west of the city, near the village of Killi Nihal Singh Wala. It is also known as Bhatinda Airport or Bhisiana Air Force Station.
The airport was built in 1975 and has been serving the city of Bathinda and the Malwa region in Punjab. While it is primarily a military airport, it also offers limited commercial flights. The airport has a single terminal for domestic flights, with a capacity to handle 100 passengers. The terminal features a VIP lounge, two check-in counters, a 30-seat security area, and two conveyor belts. The airport also has a parking lot and an information desk for travellers' convenience.
The Indian Air Force controls the operational area of the airport, including the runway and taxiways, while the Airports Authority of India (AAI) maintains the passenger terminal building, the apron area, and the landside area. The AAI is a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, responsible for creating, upgrading, maintaining, and managing civil aviation infrastructure in India.
Due to its limited facilities and flight availability, it is recommended that travellers check the flight timetable in advance and arrive at the airport early to allow sufficient time for check-in and security checks. The airport can be accessed by taxi, private car, or bus, with the nearest bus station located 2 kilometres away.
The city of Bathinda itself is a popular destination, known for its rich history and culture. It is one of the oldest cities in Punjab and is nicknamed the "City of Lakes" due to its artificial lakes. Some popular attractions near the airport include Qila Mubarak, a historic 17th-century fort, and the gurudwara of Haji Rattan, a popular tourist centre with connections to legends.
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The airport has a 1,200-square-metre terminal for commercial flights
Bathinda Airport, located in the city of Bathinda in Punjab, India, features a 1,200-square-metre terminal dedicated to commercial flights. The airport, which is approximately 16 kilometres (9.9 miles) north-west of the city in Bhisiana, serves the city of Bathinda and the wider Malwa region.
The 1,200-square-metre terminal at Bathinda Airport is the airport's only terminal and serves domestic flights and passengers. The terminal has a capacity of 100 passengers and includes a waiting area that can accommodate 30 individuals. The modern glass and steel structure boasts a range of amenities, such as a VIP lounge, two check-in counters, a 30-seat security area, and two conveyor belts. Additionally, a parking lot with space for 25 cars is under construction, enhancing the overall accessibility of the airport.
The airport's commercial operations are facilitated by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India. The AAI is responsible for creating, upgrading, maintaining, and managing civil aviation infrastructure across the country. The organisation coordinates with various agencies to ensure the smooth functioning of airports. At Bathinda Airport, the AAI maintains the passenger terminal building, the apron area where passengers embark and disembark, and the landside area.
The airport has a rich history, initially built as the Bhisiana Air Force Station in 1975 and later upgraded to a strategically important air force base in 1980. It continues to serve as an Indian Air Force base alongside its commercial operations. The Indian Air Force provides essential air traffic control and emergency services for the airport.
In recent years, the airport has experienced fluctuations in commercial flight activity. Alliance Air operated flights to Delhi from 2016 until 2020, after which the airport remained inactive for a period. However, in September 2023, FlyBig resumed commercial flight operations, offering routes to Ghaziabad and Dehradun.
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The Airports Authority of India is responsible for creating, upgrading, and maintaining the airport
Bathinda Airport is located 16 kilometres (9.9 miles) northwest of Bathinda, near the village of Killi Nihal Singh Wala. It is a small airport, primarily used for military purposes, but it also offers limited commercial flights. The airport has basic facilities for passengers, and there are several accommodations and local attractions nearby.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India. AAI is responsible for creating, upgrading, maintaining, and managing civil aviation infrastructure in the country, including international and domestic airports and civil enclaves. The organisation was formed by the merger of the erstwhile National Airports Authority and the International Airports Authority of India in April 1995 through an Act of Parliament, known as the Airports Authority of India Act, 1994.
AAI manages a total of 133 airports, out of which 110 are operational, while 23 are non-operational. Of the 110 operational airports, 28 are civil enclaves, and eight are under private control. Additionally, 35 of the operational airports have international operations. AAI is also responsible for providing air navigation services over 2.8 million square nautical miles of airspace.
AAI's role in creating, upgrading, and maintaining airports involves various aspects. For instance, they undertake projects for the extension and strengthening of runways, taxi tracks, and aprons at different airports. AAI also focuses on technological enhancements and the adoption of new standards of safety and security. The organisation has implemented the Automatic Dependence Surveillance System (ADSS) at Kolkata and Chennai Air Traffic Control Centres, making India the first country in the Southeast Asian region to utilise this technology for air traffic control over oceanic areas using satellite communication.
The safety of passengers is a paramount concern for AAI. They maintain a high level of fire protection at airports and have a well-trained Rescue and Fire Services team ready to respond to any emergencies. AAI also provides for cutting-edge technology in communication, navigation, and surveillance to ensure the safety and efficiency of flights.
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The airport is well-connected to other major cities in India by air route
Bathinda Airport (IATA: BUP, ICAO: VIBT) is a domestic airport and an Indian Air Force base located about 16 kilometres (9.9 miles) from the city of Bathinda, in the state of Punjab, India. The airport is well-connected to other major cities in India by air routes.
The airport has a rich history, having been built in 1975 as the Bhisiana Air Force Station. It gained prominence in 1980 when it was designated as one of the most strategically important air force stations in the country. The airport is currently undergoing reconstruction to enhance its facilities and improve connectivity.
Bhatinda Airport offers both domestic and international terminals, providing passengers with convenient travel options. The airport is served by airlines such as Air India, Jet Airways, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and GoAir, connecting it to cities like Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Goa. The airport also has a nearby railway station, providing efficient connections to major cities across India.
In addition to its military and commercial operations, Bhatinda Airport plays a significant role in socio-economic development. The airport's commercial operations facilitate improved connectivity and promote economic growth in the Malwa region. The Government of India recognised the importance of this development, and the Indian Air Force granted permission for the base to be utilised for both military and commercial aviation.
While Bhatinda Airport primarily serves domestic routes, it also accommodates private jets for government purposes. The airport's ongoing development, including the construction of new terminals and improved facilities, underscores its growing significance in the region's aviation landscape.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there is an airport in Bathinda.
Bathinda Airport is located about 16 kilometres north-west of Bathinda city in Bhisiana near the village of Killi Nihal Singh Wala.
The IATA code for Bathinda Airport is BUP.
The best way to get to Bathinda Airport is by taxi or private car. Alternatively, you can take a bus to Bhisiana village and then a taxi or auto-rickshaw to the airport.
Bathinda Airport is a small airport with basic facilities. It has a 1,200-square-metre terminal for commercial flights with a capacity of 100 passengers and a waiting area that can seat 30 people. The airport also has an information desk, a VIP lounge, two check-in counters, and a security hold.
