Tripura Govt & AAI Review Kailashahar Airport Reopening Feasibility

The government of Tripura has formally requested the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to conduct a comprehensive technical and operational review for the potential reopening of Kailashahar Airport (IXH). The directive, issued by Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, aims to assess the feasibility of reviving the airport, which has been non-operational since the mid-1990s. This initiative is a key step in a broader effort to enhance regional air connectivity in India's northeastern states.

During a high-level meeting, Chief Minister Saha instructed AAI officials to dispatch a team to evaluate on-ground conditions, including land-related issues and existing infrastructure. The review is part of a larger feasibility study that will compare the viability of reopening Kailashahar Airport against two other defunct airfields in the state, Kamalpur Airport and Khowai Airport. These assessments will be benchmarked against the operational capabilities of Tripura's primary air hub, Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport (IXA) in Agartala, which is the second busiest airport in North-East India.

Technical and Commercial Assessment

The core objective of the review is to determine the necessary steps to resume flight services from Kailashahar. Key discussion points during the meeting included plans for runway expansion, development of modern infrastructure, and creating capacity to handle larger aircraft, specifically mentioning Airbus-family jets. The existing runway at Kailashahar is approximately 1,006 meters (3,300 feet), which would require significant extension to support commercial jet operations.

Chief Minister Saha emphasized the need for a detailed report outlining the commercial, technical, and financial advantages and disadvantages of the project. “After receiving the report, the state government will take necessary steps in consultation with the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation and other concerned ministries as required,” Saha stated. AAI officials confirmed that a technical team would visit the site soon to begin the detailed assessment.

Present at the meeting were key stakeholders including Gyan Batra, Executive Director for the North Eastern Region at AAI, and Krishnamohan Nehra, the newly appointed Director of Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport. The state government was represented by Transport Department Secretary Uttam Kumar Chakma and Transport Commissioner Subrata Chowdhury.

Context Within National Aviation Policy

The push to revive Kailashahar Airport aligns with the Indian government's flagship Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN). The program, whose name translates to 'Let the common citizen of the country fly', is designed to operationalize unserved and underserved airports to make air travel more widespread and affordable. Several phases of the UDAN scheme have placed a strategic focus on improving connectivity in the geographically challenging northeastern region of India.

The revival of defunct airports is a central pillar of this policy. By bringing dormant airfields like Kailashahar back into service, the government aims to stimulate local economies, promote tourism, and provide faster, more reliable transportation options. The UDAN scheme provides a framework and financial incentives that make such revival projects viable for both airport operators and airlines.

Responsibility for the project falls under the purview of the AAI, a statutory body that manages civil aviation infrastructure across India. If the feasibility study is positive, the AAI would oversee the airport's redevelopment. Following completion, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) would be responsible for licensing the airport for public use, ensuring it meets all safety and operational standards.

What Comes Next

The immediate next step is the site visit by the AAI's technical team. Their findings will form the basis of the comprehensive feasibility report requested by the Chief Minister. This report will be a critical decision-making tool for the state government, which has agreed to work collaboratively with the Airports Authority of India on the project's progression.

Once the report is submitted and reviewed, the Tripura government will engage in formal consultations with the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation. A final decision on the project's scope, funding, and timeline will be subject to these high-level discussions and approvals. If approved, the project would move into the planning and construction phase, though a definitive timeline for reopening remains undetermined.

Why This Matters

Reopening Kailashahar Airport would represent a significant infrastructure upgrade for northern Tripura, a region with limited transportation options. For the aviation industry, it signals continued government investment in regional air networks, creating potential new routes for smaller carriers. This development could serve as a model for reviving other dormant airports, directly contributing to India's goals of expanding its domestic aviation footprint and fostering balanced regional economic growth.

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