82.132.230.86 at 11:32, 4 May 2026

2026-05-04T11:32:36Z

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{{short description|Airport in Siliguri, West Bengal, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox airport
| name = Bagdogra Airport
| image = Bagdogra_International_Airport.jpg
| caption =
| image-width =
| IATA = IXB
| ICAO = VEBD
| pushpin_map = India West Bengal#India
| pushpin_label = '''IXB'''/VEBD
| type = [[Customs airport|Customs]]
| owner = [[Indian Air Force]]
| operator = [[Airports Authority of India]]
| city-served = [[Siliguri]]
| location = [[Bagdogra]], Siliguri, [[West Bengal]], [[India]]
| metric-elev = yes
| elevation-f = 412
| elevation-m = 126
| coordinates = {{Coord|26|40|52|N|088|19|43|E|type:airport|display=inline,title}}
| website = {{URL|https://www.aai.aero/en/airports/bagdogra}}
| metric-rwy = yes
| r1-number = 18/36
| r1-length-f = 9,035
| r1-length-m = 2,754
| r1-surface = [[Concrete]]/[[Asphalt concrete|Asphalt]]
| stat-year = April 2024 - March 2025
| stat1-header = Passengers
| stat1-data = 3,219,410 ({{increase}} 3.2%)
| stat2-header = Aircraft movements
| stat2-data = 22,390 ({{increase}} 7.4%)
| stat3-header = Cargo tonnage
| stat3-data = 8,952 ({{increase}} 6%)
| 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/Mar2k25Annex3.pdf|website=aai.aero|access-date=28 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Annexure II – Aircraft Movement Data|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k25Annex2.pdf|website=aai.aero|access-date=28 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Annexure IV – Freight Movement Data|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k25Annex4.pdf|website=aai.aero|access-date=28 April 2025}}</ref>
}}

[[File:Bagdogra International Airport - during LGFC - Bhutan 2019 (24).jpg|thumb|Apron of the airport]]

'''Bagdogra Airport''' {{airport codes|IXB|VEBD}} {{efn|{{IPA|bn|bagɖogra bimanbɔndor }}}} is a [[customs airport]] serving the city of [[Siliguri]] in [[West Bengal]], [[India]]. It is located in [[Bagdogra]], {{cvt|12|km}} south-west from the city centre.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aai.aero/allAirports/bagdogra_generalinfo.jsp|title=Airports Authority of India|access-date=2 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222055616/http://www.aai.aero/allAirports/bagdogra_generalinfo.jsp|archive-date=22 December 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is operated as a [[civil enclave]] at the Bagdogra Air Force Station of the [[Indian Air Force]]. It is the gateway to the [[hill station]]s of [[Darjeeling]], [[Gangtok]], [[Kurseong]], [[Kalimpong]], [[Mirik]] and other parts of North Bengal region. Siliguri, being a major transport and economic hub, the airport sees thousands of travellers and tourists annually. The [[Government of India]] conferred limited [[international airport]] status to the airport in 2002 with limited international operations to [[Suvarnabhumi Airport|Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi]] and [[Paro Airport|Paro]]. It is the second-busiest airport in the state after [[Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport|Kolkata]].

The airport experiences [[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen Climate Classification]] code: ''Cwa'') - hot humid summers and cool winters. There is significant precipitation in all seasons, but remains drier in winters.<ref name="TOI1" /><ref>{{cite web| url = https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/International-status-to-Bagdogra-airport-hailed/articleshow/24001049.cms |title = International status to Bagdogra airport hailed | work= The Times of India| date= 2 October 2002| access-date = 15 July 2014}}</ref> Air traffic at Bagdogra crossed 1 million for the first time, growing at 43.6% per cent in 2014–15. In 2019–20, the airport served 3.2 million passengers, which was an increase of 11.2% from the previous year, making it the [[List of the busiest airports in India|17th-busiest airport in India]].This airport has routes to 13 airports and serves 3 countries ([[India]], [[Bhutan]] and [[Thailand]]). The most served route from this airport is to [[Indira Gandhi International Airport]], Delhi.

==Air Force Station==

The airbase is home to the IAF No. 20 Wing, as well to the [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21]] (Mig-21) FL [[fighter aircraft]] of the No. 8 Squadron and a Helicopter Unit.<ref>{{Cite web|title=20 Wing, Indian Air Force - Database|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/Units/20%20Wing|access-date=22 October 2021|website=Bharat Rakshak|language=en-gb}}</ref> Along with the airbase at [[Hasimara]], [[Alipurduar district]]; it is responsible for combat air operations over a large area including Northern [[West Bengal]], [[Sikkim]] and if needed, [[Bhutan]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=1 July 2017|title=Why Bhutan is special to India|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/why-bhutan-is-special-to-india/article19195034.ece|access-date=22 October 2021|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The base caters to all military air traffic for the Indian Army's [[XXXIII Corps (India)|XXXIII Corps]] based nearby in Sukna.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Indiablooms|title=Air Force Station Bagdogra celebrates Kargil Vijay Diwas {{!}} Indiablooms - First Portal on Digital News Management|url=https://www.indiablooms.com/news-details/N/53154/air-force-station-bagdogra-celebrates-kargil-vijay-diwas.html|access-date=22 October 2021|website=Indiablooms.com|date=28 July 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

==Expansion==
The [[Government of West Bengal]] had handed over {{convert|14.5|acre|ha}} of land to the [[Ministry of Civil Aviation (India)|Ministry of Civil Aviation]] for developing infrastructure for night landing in 2010. AAI also expanded the [[airport apron|apron]] at the same time, enabling the parking of 5 [[narrow-body aircraft]] simultaneously.<ref name="TOI1">{{cite web| url = https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Night-landing-facility-at-Bagdogra-soon/articleshow/5450515.cms | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131109094533/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-01-16/kolkata/28143485_1_night-landing-landing-facility-bagdogra | url-status = live | archive-date = 9 November 2013 |title = Night-landing facility at Bagdogra soon |date = 16 January 2010| work = [[The Times of India]] | access-date = 16 January 2010}}</ref> The IAF, which maintains the ATC and runway, permitted night landings by civilian aircraft allowing flights past 6 PM in 2013.

For its growing traffic over the years, in 2022, From 11 to 25 April, the airport was shut down for 14 days to refurbish its sole runway.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Niyogi |first1=Subhro |date=18 January 2022 |title=14-day Closure Of Bagdogra Airport For Runway Repairs {{!}} Kolkata News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/14-day-closure-of-bagdogra-airport-for-runway-repairs/articleshow/88961420.cms |access-date=17 April 2022 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>

The new terminal building, which started its construction in Q4 2024, is expected to be completed by March 2027 with 16 parking bays, 10 [[Jet bridge|aerobridges]] and a parallel taxiway to the runway. It will have a floor area of 1 lakh sq.m. at a cost of ₹ 3,000 crore and capable of handling 12.5 million passengers annually. [[CP Kukreja Architects]] did the design work of the new terminal building as the Architectural & Engineering Consultant, the construction bid going to [[Kalpataru Projects International Ltd]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 January 2024 |title=Kalpataru Wins Siliguri Bagdogra Airport's New Terminal Contract |url=https://themetrorailguy.com/2024/01/11/kalpataru-wins-siliguri-bagdogra-airports-new-terminal-contract/ |work=The Metro Rail Guy}}</ref> After the expansion of the airport, more international flights can land here, and will turn this customs airport into an international one.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bagdogra airport set for expansion|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/bagdogra-airport-set-for-expansion/cid/1794500|access-date=18 December 2021|website=www.telegraphindia.com|language=en}}</ref>

==Airlines and destinations==


{{Airport-dest-list

|3={{nowrap|[[Air India Express]]}}|4=[[Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport|Agartala]],<ref name="DGCA IX">{{cite web|url=https://www.dgca.gov.in/digigov-portal/?baseLocale=en_US?page=jsp/dgca/InventoryList/airOperation/certification/scheduled/domestic/AirIndiaExpressLimited_SS_2026.pdf&mainundefined|title=Air India Express Summer Schedule 2026|work=[[Directorate General of Civil Aviation (India)|Directorate General of Civil Aviation]]|access-date=3 May 2026}}</ref> [[Kempegowda International Airport|Bengaluru]],<ref name="DGCA IX" /> [[Indira Gandhi International Airport|Delhi]],<ref name="DGCA IX" /> [[Rajiv Gandhi International Airport|Hyderabad]],<ref name="DGCA IX" /> [[Imphal Airport|Imphal]],<ref name="DGCA IX" /> [[Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport|Kolkata]],<ref name="DGCA IX" /> [[Dibrugarh Airport|Dibrugarh]],<ref name="DGCA IX" /> [[Chennai International Airport|Chennai]],<ref name="DGCA IX" /> [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport|Mumbai]]<ref name="DGCA IX" />, [[Pune International Airport|Pune]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Pune–Bagdogra Direct Flights Take Off, Boosting Regional Connectivity
|url=https://punemirror.com/city/pune/pune-bagdogra-direct-flight-air-india-express/|work=Pune Mirror|access-date=4 May 2026}}</ref>

|5=[[Akasa Air]]|6=[[Ahmedabad Airport|Ahmedabad]],<ref name="Akasa Flight Schedule">{{cite web|title=Akasa Air Flight Schedule|url=https://www.akasaair.com/fly-with-akasa/flight-schedule|website=Akasa Air|access-date=3 May 2026}}</ref> [[Kempegowda International Airport|Bengaluru]],<ref name="Akasa Flight Schedule" /> [[Indira Gandhi International Airport|Delhi]],<ref name="Akasa Flight Schedule" /> [[Dibrugarh Airport|Dibrugarh]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Akasa Air deepens its Skyprint in Assam adds Dibrugarh as 32nd destination|url=https://hospibuz.com/travel-hot-topics/akasa-air-deepens-its-skyprint-in-assam-adds-dibrugarh-as-32nd-destination-to-its-growing-network-10810701|website=Hospibuz|access-date=February 1, 2026}}</ref> [[Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport|Guwahati]],<ref name="Akasa Flight Schedule" /> [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport|Mumbai]]<ref name="Akasa Flight Schedule" />

|7=[[Drukair]]|8=[[Suvarnabhumi Airport|Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi]], [[Paro Airport|Paro]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bagdogra to Paro, Bangkok Drukair|url=https://www.drukair.com.bt/Destinations/Bagdogra|website=www.drukair.com|access-date=8 July 2022|archive-date=30 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530221724/https://drukair.com.bt/Destinations/Bagdogra|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Bagdogra-Bangkok flight resumed: ভুটানের সঙ্গে জুড়ছে বাগডোগরা-ব্যাংকক, কবে উড়ান চালু? |url=https://bangla.aajtak.in/utility/story/bagdogra-bangkok-flight-resumed-2-years-after-covid-druk-air-ssr-420872-2022-07-04 |access-date=8 July 2022 |work=Aaj Tak বাংলা |date=4 July 2022 |language=bn}}</ref>


|9=[[IndiGo]]|10=[[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 name="DGCA 6E DOM" /> [[Indira Gandhi International Airport|Delhi]],<ref name="DGCA 6E DOM" /> , [[Rajiv Gandhi International Airport|Hyderabad]], [[Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport|Kolkata]],<ref name="DGCA 6E DOM" /> [[Navi Mumbai International Airport|Mumbai-Navi]]<ref name="Indigo2">{{cite news|last=Pall|first=Samreen|title=Durgapur: New Direct Flights To Bhubaneswar, Bagdogra, And Guwahati To Begin Starting August End|url=https://www.news18.com/auto/durgapur-new-direct-flights-to-bhubaneswar-bagdogra-and-guwahati-to-begin-starting-august-end-8928886.html|website=News18|date=11 June 2024|access-date=11 June 2024|language=en}}</ref> [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport|Mumbai-Shivaji]]<ref name="DGCA 6E DOM" />


|11=[[SpiceJet]]
|12=[[Indira Gandhi International Airport|Delhi]],<ref name="SJ">{{cite web|url=https://corporate.spicejet.com/schedules.aspx|title=SpiceJet Flight Schedule|publisher=Official Website of SpiceJet|access-date=3 May 2026}}</ref> [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport|Mumbai]]<ref name='SJ'/> }}

== Accidents and incidents ==

* '''23 May 2008:''' A [[MiG-21]] of the [[Indian Air Force]] had to perform a [[belly landing]] due to a technical snag and a jammed landing gear. The aircraft hard landed on the runway causing it to catch fire. The pilot ejected safely. The aircraft was written off subsequently.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=23 May 2008|title=MiG 21 crashes in Bengal, pilot safe|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/kolkata/mig-21-crashes-in-bengal-pilot-safe/story-sDa1kZZITWR8EKQca0yYHN.html|url-status=live|access-date=13 September 2021|website=[[Hindustan Times]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912164844/https://www.hindustantimes.com/kolkata/mig-21-crashes-in-bengal-pilot-safe/story-sDa1kZZITWR8EKQca0yYHN.html |archive-date=12 September 2021 }}</ref>
* '''5 July 2013:''' AI879, an [[A320]] arriving from [[Indira Gandhi International Airport|New Delhi]] swerved off the taxiway while taxiing towards the apron after landing. No injuries were reported. The passengers were immediately de-boarded. The aircraft sustained minor damage and took about 7 hours to bring the stuck aircraft to the taxiway.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=6 June 2013|title=Flight skids off taxiway - Air India plane stuck at bagdogra for 7 hrs|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/flight-skids-off-taxiway-air-india-plane-stuck-at-bagdogra-for-7-hrs/cid/285507|url-status=live|access-date=12 September 2021|website=[[The Telegraph (Calcutta)|The Telegraph]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912170252/https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/flight-skids-off-taxiway-air-india-plane-stuck-at-bagdogra-for-7-hrs/cid/285507 |archive-date=12 September 2021 }}</ref>
*'''11 July 2014:''' A mishap was avoided between [[IndiGo]] flight 6E472 and [[Air India]] flight AI879. Both aircraft received a [[Traffic collision avoidance system|Traffic Collision Avoidance System]] warning. Following the Resolution Advisory given by the TCAS the IndiGo flight immediately descended and the Air India flight turned right. Both aircraft landed safely without any injuries.<ref>{{Cite web|first=|date=11 July 2014|title=Mishap avoided at Bagdogra airport as Indigo and Air India flight avoid collision|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/airport-mishap-701170.html|url-status=live|access-date=13 September 2021|website=[[News18 India]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913064216/https://www.news18.com/news/india/airport-mishap-701170.html |archive-date=13 September 2021 }}</ref>
* '''15 February 2019:''' An [[AirAsia India|Air Asia India]] [[Airbus A320 family|A320]] scheduled for a flight from Bagdogra Airport to [[Kempegowda International Airport]] damaged its left wing sharklets while backtracking the runway. The two pilots were later suspended for 6 months by the [[Directorate General of Civil Aviation (India)|DGCA]] in view of violating laid down procedures.<ref>{{Cite web|first=|date=11 July 2019|title=DGCA suspends two AirAsia India pilots for violation|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/dgca-suspends-two-airasia-india-pilots-for-violations/articleshow/70179028.cms|url-status=live|access-date=13 September 2021|website=[[The Economic Times]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191118202948/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/dgca-suspends-two-airasia-india-pilots-for-violations/articleshow/70179028.cms |archive-date=18 November 2019 }}</ref>
* '''16 December 2019:''' An [[IndiGo]] [[A320neo]] bound for [[Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport|Kolkata]] performed an emergency landing in view of engine related issues. The aircraft was using [[Pratt & Whitney PW1000G|Pratt & Whitney]] engines. Out of the two engines, one engine was not modified which caused the issue.<ref>{{Cite web|first=|date=16 December 2019|title=IndiGo A320neo flight diverted to Bagdogra due to engine glitch|url=https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/indigo-a320neo-flight-diverted-to-bagdogra-due-to-engine-glitch-11576496883242.html|url-status=live|access-date=13 September 2021|website=[[Mint (newspaper)|Mint]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216235836/https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/indigo-a320neo-flight-diverted-to-bagdogra-due-to-engine-glitch-11576496883242.html |archive-date=16 December 2019 }}</ref>
* '''7 March 2025:''' An [[Antonov An-32]] of the [[Indian Air Force]] crashed on landing at Bagdogra Airport. Although the aircraft was destroyed there were no fatalities.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Accident Antonov An-32, Friday 7 march 2025 |url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/483359 |work=Aviation Safety Network |date=7 March 2025 |access-date=10 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kumari |first=Sweety |date=7 March 2025 |title=Indian Air Force's AN-32 craft crash lands in West Bengal's Bagdogra airport, crew safe |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/indian-air-forces-an-32-craft-crash-lands-west-bengal-bagdogra-airport-9874615/ |work=The Indian Express |access-date=10 March 2025}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}
==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.aai.aero/en/airports/bagdogra Bagdogra Airport] at [[Airports Authority of India]] website.

{{Portalbar|India|Aviation}}
{{Airports in India}}
{{West Bengal transit}}
{{Darjeeling District}}
{{Darjeeling}}
{{Indian Air Force}}

[[Category:Buildings and structures in Darjeeling district]]
[[Category:Transport in Jalpaiguri district]]
[[Category:Airports in West Bengal]]
[[Category:Transport in Siliguri]]
[[Category:Airports with year of establishment missing]]
[[Category:Airports Authority of India]]

Bagdogra Airport - Revision history

82.132.230.86 at 11:32, 4 May 2026