Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport

2026-05-08T20:27:28Z

74.43.38.146:

{{short description|Domestic airport in Paschim Bardhaman, West Bengal, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2025}}
{{Infobox airport
| name = Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport
| image = Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport Logo.png
| image2 = The front facade of Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport, Andal, Durgapur.jpg
| caption2 =
| IATA = RDP
| ICAO = VEDG<ref>{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/bengals-kazi-nazrul-islam-airport-receives-final-regulatory-approval/articleshow/47078805.cms |title=Bengal's Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport receives final regulatory approval – The Economic Times |newspaper=The Economic Times |publisher=Economictimes.indiatimes.com |access-date=30 April 2017|last1=Mishra |first1=Mihir }}</ref>
| coordinates = {{coord|23|37|17|N|87|14|36|E|region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_map = India West Bengal#India
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in West Bengal
| pushpin_label = '''RDP'''
| type = Public
| owner = Bengal Aerotropolis Projects Limited (BAPL)
{{smalldiv|
*[[Government of West Bengal]]
*[[Changi Airport Group]]
}}
| operator = [[Airports Authority of India]]
| city-served = [[Durgapur]], [[Asansol]]
| operating_base = [[IndiGo]]
| opened = {{start date and age|2015|05|18|df=y|p=n|br=n}}
| location = [[Andal, Paschim Bardhaman|Andal]], [[Durgapur]], [[West Bengal]], India
| elevation-f = 302
| website = {{ubl|{{URL|https://www.kniairport.com/}}}}
| metric-rwy = Yes
| r1-number = 16/34
| r1-length-m = 2800
| r1-surface = [[Asphalt concrete|Asphalt]]
| stat-year = April 2025 – March 2026
| stat1-header = Passengers
| stat1-data = 5,45,077({{increase}} 6.2%)
| stat2-header = Aircraft movements
| stat2-data = 4,630({{increase}} 15.9%)
| stat3-header = Cargo tonnage
| stat3-data = 491 ({{increase}} 1.8%)
| footnotes = Source: [[Airports Authority of India|AAI]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Annexure III – Passenger Data|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k24Annex3.pdf|website=aai.aero|access-date=22 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Annexure II – Aircraft Movement Data|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k24Annex2.pdf|website=aai.aero|access-date=22 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Annexure IV – Freight Movement Data|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k24Annex4.pdf|website=aai.aero|access-date=22 April 2024}}</ref>
}}

'''Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport''' {{Airport codes|RDP|VEDG}}, {{efn|{{IPA|bn|Kad͡ʒi nod͡ʒrul iʃlam bimanbɔndor}}}} also known as '''Durgapur Airport''',<ref>{{cite web|title= Durgapur Airport (RDP) or Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport |url=https://www.goindigo.in/airport-directory/india/durgapur-rdp.html | website=goindigo |access-date=2 September 2024}}</ref><ref name="itimes1">{{cite news |title=Jindal-led JSW Group to invest in Durgapur airport |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/jsw-group-to-invest-in-durgapur-airport-infrastructure-development/articleshow/111701922.cms |work=The Times Of India |date=13 July 2024 |language=en}}</ref> is a [[domestic airport]] serving the cities of [[Durgapur]] and [[Asansol]] in [[West Bengal]], India. It is located in the [[Andal, Paschim Bardhaman|Andal]] region of Durgapur. It is named after the [[List of Bengali poets|Bengali poet]] [[Kazi Nazrul Islam]]. The airport is roughly 17 km from Durgapur's city centre and 34 km from Asansol's City Bus Terminus.

The airport's hinterland comprises the cities of Durgapur, [[Asansol]], [[Bardhaman]], [[Bankura]], [[Purulia]], [[Bolpur]] in [[West Bengal]] and [[Jamtara]], [[Dumka]], [[Dhanbad]] and [[Bokaro Steel City|Bokaro]] in [[Jharkhand]]. It is part of the country's first private sector [[Aerotropolis]], being developed by Bengal Aerotropolis Projects Limited (BAPL) in [[Andal, Paschim Bardhaman|Andal]], Durgapur. The airport was officially inaugurated on 19 September 2013 by the [[Chief Minister of West Bengal]], [[Mamata Banerjee]].<ref name="CAPA">{{cite web|title=Profile on Kazi Nazrul Islam International Airport|url=https://centreforaviation.com/profiles/newairports/kazi-nazrul-islam-international-airport|access-date=5 August 2014|newspaper=[[Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation|CAPA]]}}</ref> According to 2023–24 data, the airport is the third busiest airport of West Bengal and the [[List of busiest airports in India|58th busiest in India]].<ref name="traffic_stats1">{{cite web|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2K19Annex3.pdf|title=Traffic News for the month of March 2019: Annexure-III|work=[[Airports Authority of India]]|access-date=1 May 2019|pages=4–5}}</ref>

==History==
=== Construction planning ===
The project was conceived in 2006–07 during the [[Left Front (West Bengal)|Left Front]] government. The construction of the airport was completed on 2013. For several reasons, the airport did not receive final operational clearance from the aviation regulator [[Directorate General of Civil Aviation (India)|DGCA]] until 24 April 2015, following which regular commercial flights started.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/bengal-aerotropolis-projects-gets-dgca-nod-for-airport-115042700838_1.html|title=Bengal Aerotropolis Projects gets DGCA nod for airport|newspaper=[[Business Standard]]|date=27 April 2015|access-date=27 April 2015}}</ref>

=== Commencement of the airport ===
On 10 May 2015, Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] became the first passenger to use the new airport when he flew to Delhi aboard an [[Indian Air Force]] [[Boeing 737]] VIP aircraft, even before commercial airlines started their regular service from the airport.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/narendra-modi-first-passenger-to-use-andal-airport/articleshow/47234884.cms|title=Narendra Modi first passenger to use Durgapur airport |newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|date=11 May 2015|access-date=11 May 2015}}</ref> Scheduled commercial operation commenced on 18 May 2015.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mishra|first1=Mihir|title=Air India operates inaugural flight between Durgapur & Kolkata|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/47329679.cms|access-date=19 May 2015|newspaper=Economic Times|date=18 May 2015}}</ref> Another airline, [[Zoom Air]], also began flights on the Delhi – [[Durgapur]] – [[Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport|Kolkata]] route, but after three months the flight was stopped due to lack of passengers. The airport gained popularity in 2018 with connections to [[Delhi]] and [[Hyderabad]] by [[Air India]] and to [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport|Mumbai]] and [[Chennai International Airport|Chennai]] in October 2019 by [[SpiceJet]].

== Plan ==
The airport was built over 650 acres (which can be expanded in the future) at a cost of {{INRConvert|600|c}}.<ref name="BS">{{cite news|title=Rechristened Bengal aerotropolis unveiled|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/rechristened-bengal-aerotropolis-unveiled-113091900559_1.html|access-date=5 August 2014|newspaper=[[Business Standard]]|date=20 September 2013}}</ref> The airport has 70% open green space for facilitating a fresh green environment within the airport area.

== Future development ==
Sajjan Jindal-led [[JSW Group]] is planning to invest in the infrastructure development of Durgapur airport.<ref name="itimes1"/> A source close to the development said: "JSW Infra is likely to do some work in Durgapur Airport. It may be for development of the airport city along with managing the airport. There is a lot of scope in an airport city like developing IT park and other facilities."

== Ownership ==
The State Government also has a 26.05% stake through West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation. [[Singapore]]'s [[Changi Airport Group#Changi Airports International|Changi Airports International]] (CAI) has a 30.21% stake in BAPL. Other Indian promoters include [[IL&FS]], Pragati Social Infrastructure & Development, Pragati 47, Lend Lease Company India and Citystar Infrastructure.

== Infrastructure ==
[[File:Air Traffic Control, KNI Airport, Andal, Durgapur.jpg|Air traffic control tower|thumb]]

=== Terminal ===
The 5,750 square metre passenger terminal building has a capacity of 1 million passengers per annum and can be expanded in the future to a capacity to 2.5 million per annum. It has six check-in counters with common use terminal equipment (CUTE) in the departure lounge and two baggage conveyor belts at the arrival hall.<ref name="TOI">{{cite news|title=Aerotropolis to bank on service, not size|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Aerotropolis-to-bank-on-service-not-size/articleshow/11831700.cms|access-date=5 August 2014|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=10 February 2012}}</ref> The airport is equipped with category VI firefighting and rescue capability.<ref name="TOI"/> The terminal has ATMs, Wi-Fi services, a ticket booking counter, F & B outlets,{{clarify|date=February 2025}} and cab booking services.

=== Runway ===
The airport's 2,800-meter runway (which is expandable up to 3,315-metre) is equipped with a CAT I [[instrument landing system]] (ILS) and can handle narrow-body aircraft like [[Airbus A320]] and [[Boeing 737]]. The [[airport apron]] has four parking bays and a helipad.

== Airlines and destinations ==
After inauguration, this airport had flights to [[Kolkata]] by [[Alliance Air (India)|Alliance Air]], [[SpiceJet]] and [[Air India]]. However, the flight was discontinued after few months. Over the next few years, the airport gained connectivity to other major metro cities via [[IndiGo]].

As of {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}}, the following airlines operates direct flights from the airport:

{{Airport destination list

| [[IndiGo]] |[[Kempegowda International Airport|Bengaluru]],<ref name="DGCA 6E DOM">{{cite web|url=https://www.dgca.gov.in/digigov-portal/?baseLocale=en_US?page=jsp/dgca/InventoryList/airOperation/certification/scheduled/domestic/INTERGLOBE%20AVIATION%20LTD_2026.pdf&mainundefined|title=IndiGo Summer Schedule 2026|work=[[Directorate General of Civil Aviation (India)|Directorate General of Civil Aviation]]|access-date=4 May 2026}}</ref> [[Chennai International Airport|Chennai]],<ref>{{cite news|title=IndiGo to launch direct flight connectivity from Chennai to Durgapur from May 16|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/business/indigo-to-launch-direct-flight-connectivity-from-chennai-to-durgapur-from-may-16/cid/2014416|work=[[The Telegraph (India)|The Telegraph]]|date=19 April 2024|access-date=22 April 2024}}</ref> [[Indira Gandhi International Airport|Delhi]],<ref name="DGCA 6E DOM" /> [[Rajiv Gandhi International Airport|Hyderabad]],<ref name="DGCA 6E DOM" /> [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport|Mumbai]]<ref name="DGCA 6E DOM" />

}}

== Ground transport ==
===Roads===
The airport is conveniently connected to Durgapur by road. It is also connected to Raniganj and Asansol through [[National Highway 19 (India)|National Highway 19]].

==Statistics==
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 85%" width= align=
|- style="background:lightgrey;"
! Year || Passengers || Passengers % change || Aircraft movement || Aircraft movement % change
|-
|2025–2026
|5,45,077
|{{increase}}6.2%
|4,630
|{{increase}}15.9%
|-
|2024–2025
|5,13,488
|{{decrease}}0.2%
|3,996
|{{increase}}23.6%
|-
|2023–2024
|5,14,760
|{{increase}}4.60%
|3,234
|{{decrease}}0.5%
|-|-
|2022–2023
|4,92,020
|{{increase}}96.8%
|3,344
|{{increase}}73.6%
|-
|2021–2022
|2,49,975<ref name=aai1>{{cite web |title=Traffic News for the month of March 2022: Annexure-III |url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k22Annex3.pdf |website=www.aai.aero |access-date=24 April 2022}}</ref>
|{{increase}}188.78%
|1,926<ref name=aai2>{{cite web |title=Traffic News for the month of March 2022: Annexure-II |url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k22Annex2.pdf |website=www.aai.aero |access-date=24 April 2022}}</ref>
|{{increase}}200.94%
|-
|2020–2021
|86,561
|{{decrease}} 49.42%
|640
|{{decrease}} 57.97%
|-
|2019–2020
|1,71,155<ref name=knowindia.net>{{Cite web|url=https://www.knowindia.net/aviation3.html|title=Airports of India | knowIndia.net}}</ref>
|{{increase}}272.8%<ref name=knowindia.net/>
| 1,523<ref name="i">{{Cite web |date=Nov 2019 |title=INTERNATIONAL AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS |url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Nov2k19Annex2.pdf |website=Airports Authority of India}}</ref>
|{{increase}}239.2%<ref name=i/>
|-
|2018–2019
|45,907<ref name=knowindia.net/>
|{{increase}}846.47%
| 385
|{{increase}}63.1%
|-
| 2017–2018
| 5,377
| {{decrease}}-6.9%<ref name="traffic_stats1"/>
| –
| {{increase}}<ref name="traffic_stats2">{{cite web|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k19annex2.pdf|title=Traffic News for the month of March 2019: Annexure-II|work=[[Airports Authority of India]]|date=1 May 2019|access-date=1 May 2019|page=3}}</ref>
|-
| 2016–2017
| 5,950<ref name= y>{{cite web|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k17annex3R.pdf|title=Traffic News for the month of March 2017: Annexure-III|work=[[Airports Authority of India]]|access-date=1 May 2018|pages=3–4}}</ref>
| {{decrease}}-30.1%
| 236<ref name= t>{{cite web|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k17annex2R.pdf|title=Traffic News for the month of March 2017: Annexure-II|work=[[Airports Authority of India]]|access-date=1 May 2018|pages=3–4}}</ref>
| {{decrease}}-53.4%
|-
| 2015–2016
| 8,515<ref name= y/>
| –
| 506<ref name= t/>
| –
|}

===Busiest routes===
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 87.5%"
|+ '''Busiest routes to and from Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport (to March 2024)'''<ref name=knowindia.net/>
|-
! Rank || Airport || Total <br />passengers || Change<br />2025/26
|-

|1|| [[Chennai International Airport|Chennai]] ||align='right'| 17,490|| 1900
|-
|2|| [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport|Mumbai]] ||align='right'| 16,341|| 2300
|-
|3|| [[Indira Gandhi International Airport|Delhi]] ||align='right'| 16,171|| 2600
|-
|4|| [[Rajiv Gandhi International Airport|Hyderabad]] ||align='right'| 15,643||2500
|-

|}

==Accidents and incidents==
On 1 May 2022, a [[SpiceJet]] [[Boeing 737–800]] aircraft VT-SLH operating from [[Mumbai]] to [[Durgapur]] as SG-945, encountered severe turbulence while descending at Durgapur, injuring 14 passengers and three flight attendants out of 195 occupants (including two pilots and four flight attendants).<ref>{{cite news |title=DGCA to probe SpiceJet Mumbai-Durgapur flight turbulence incident, says Union Minister Scindia |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/business-economy/companies/dgca-opens-probe-in-spicejets-mumbai-durgapur-flight-turbulence-incident-article-91259599 |access-date=5 July 2022 |work=TimesNow |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Turbulence on Mumbai-Durgapur flight: DGCA issues show-cause notice to SpiceJet |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/turbulence-on-mumbai-durgapur-flight-dgca-issues-show-cause-notice-to-spicejet-101654110854540.html |access-date=5 July 2022 |work=Hindustan Times |date=2 June 2022 |language=en}}</ref> A passenger, Akbar Ansari (48), died of a spinal injury five months later.<ref>{{cite news |title=5 months on, 48-year-old injured in SpiceJet turbulence accident dies |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/5-months-on-48-year-old-injured-in-spicejet-turbulence-incident-dies-101666981390090.html |access-date=29 October 2022 |work=Hindustan Times |date=29 October 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Andal Aerotropolis]]
* [[Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport]]
* [[Airports in India]]
* [[List of airports in West Bengal]]
* [[List of busiest airports in India by passenger traffic]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

{{Airports in India}}{{West Bengal transit}}{{Transport in India}}

[[Category:Airports in West Bengal]]
[[Category:Memorials to Kazi Nazrul Islam]]
[[Category:Transport in Asansol]]
[[Category:Transport in Durgapur]]
[[Category:2013 establishments in West Bengal]]
[[Category:Airports established in 2013]]
[[Category:Changi Airport]]
[[Category:Airports Authority of India]]

IndianPedia - User contributions [en]

Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport