Kota-Bundi Greenfield Airport: Commercial flights to start by Dec 2027
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday, 26 May chaired a high-level review meeting on the Kota-Bundi Greenfield Airport project, examining construction timelines and infrastructure readiness for the upcoming aviation facility. The meeting was held at the Lok Sabha Speaker's office in the Parliament House complex, with senior officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) in attendance.
Construction Progress and Key Timelines
Officials briefed the Speaker that construction is progressing on schedule. The airport runway is expected to be ready for aircraft operations by October 2027, with regular commercial air services projected to commence by December 2027. The project is being developed over 1,088 acres and will feature a 3.2-km runway capable of handling large aircraft.
Capacity and Infrastructure
The greenfield airport is designed to handle approximately 2 million passengers annually and will be equipped with modern aviation infrastructure. Officials from the Kota Divisional Administration, Bundi district administration, Kota Development Authority, Power Grid, Public Health Engineering Department, and the Forest Department participated via video conferencing.
Speaker Birla's Directives
Birla directed officials to ensure full immigration facilities are established at the Kota airport itself, so that international passengers are not required to transit through major hubs such as Delhi, Mumbai, or Jaipur for clearance. He stressed the importance of seamless international travel readiness from day one.
He also instructed authorities to examine the feasibility of setting up a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility near the airport, aimed at fostering aviation-linked industrial development and generating local employment. Additionally, he suggested exploring the possibility of establishing a flying training school at the site of the existing old airport.
Regional Economic Impact
Officials indicated the project is expected to significantly boost economic activity across the Hadoti region, strengthening connectivity and unlocking opportunities in trade, tourism, investment, and industry. The airport is envisioned as a catalyst for enhanced national and international connectivity for the Kota-Bundi corridor.
Senior officials present included Joint Secretary of the Lok Sabha Secretariat Gaurav Goyal and Officer on Special Duty to the Speaker Rajesh Goyal. With timelines now confirmed, the Kota-Bundi airport is set to become a significant aviation node in Rajasthan's infrastructure landscape.