Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport


Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport is an international airport that principally serves Indore and adjacent regions in the Indian State of Madhya Pradesh. It is the busiest airport in Central India and is located 8 km west of Indore.
According to the statistics released by the Airports Authority of India, the agency responsible for the maintenance and management of the airport, it was the 18th busiest airport in India by passenger traffic in the year 2018-19. The airport is named after Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore, belonging to the Holkar dynasty of the Maratha Empire.
Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport, Indore was adjudged as the best airport in under 2 million annual passenger footfall category in Asia Pacific region in the Airports Council International 's airport service quality rankings for the year 2017. The World Book of Records, UK bestowed Worlds Standardization Certification to Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport, Indore for the achievement of ACI Award 2017 on 9 April 2018.
Since 24 March 2018 it has started operations 24*7 with night landing facilities.

History

The Holkar State Administration, after consulting Nevill Vintcent of Messrs Tata and Sons, selected the Bijasan site for the construction of the airport in 1935. Air services from Indore to Gwalior, Delhi and Mumbai began in July 1948. The airport was handed over to the Government of India in April 1950 under the Central Financial Integration Scheme. A new runway measuring 5600 feet in length was completed by March 1966 at a cost of 1.5 million to accommodate larger aircraft. Night landing facilities were also provided. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has given its approval to the airport for operating international flights making it the first airport in Madhya Pradesh to do so.

Structure

Indore Airport measures 729 acres and the current terminal building, spread over 18,000 m2. The main apron has space for 1-B737, 4-B737/A321, 4-ATR72 and 1 Q-400 aircraft simultaneously. MPFC Flying Club is at the south end of the runway; its apron has space for 4- C172 aircraft simultaneously. Indore's sole runway 07/25 is 2750 metres long and 45 metres wide.
The airfield is equipped with night landing facilities and a CAT- 1 Instrument Landing System as well as navigational facilities like DVOR/DME and an NDB. The runway is being extended as a part of the expansion plan for the airport.

Terminals

Integrated terminal

Indore's new expandable integrated terminal building was inaugurated on 14 February 2012. It was built by AAI at a cost of Rs 1.35 billion and is capable of handling 700 passengers per hour.
The new terminal has modern escalators and a high-tech baggage handling system. It caters to the movement of 96 flights every day. In preparation towards the proposed international operations, it will have 16 check-in counters, 16 immigration counters and four counters for customs, apart from 569 CCTVs and X-ray machines for security. There are three aerobridges serving the airport. The terminal has one lift and one escalator conveyor belt for baggage. As per the international standards, it has two ATMs, shopping stalls and a food court. The airport is under an expansion stage. A new terminal adjoining the current terminal, along with an airport hotel and a convention center, are planned at the airport site. Also, the land area of the airport will be expanded.

Airlines and destinations