Ekyaschool at 16:34, 12 April 2026

2026-04-12T16:34:32Z

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{{Short description|Domestic airport in Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox airport
| name = Maa Mahamaya Airport
| image = Airport Front side.jpg
| IATA = AHA
| ICAO = VEAP
| type = Public
| owner = [[Government of Chhattisgarh]]
| operator = [[Airports Authority of India]]
| city-served = [[Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh|Ambikapur]]
| location = Darima, Ambikapur, [[Chhattisgarh]], [[India]]
| elevation-f = 1930
| elevation-m = 588
| coordinates = {{Coord|22|59|14.1|N|83|11|46.1|E|type:airport_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| website = [https://www.aai.aero/en/node/71997 Ambikapur Airport]
| pushpin_map = India Chhattisgarh#India
| pushpin_relief =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of the airport in Chhattisgarh
| pushpin_label = '''AHA'''
| pushpin_label_position = right
| r1-number = 16/34
| r1-length-f = 6,299
| r1-length-m = 1,920
| r1-surface = [[Asphalt concrete|Asphalt]]
| 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=5 May 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=5 May 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=5 May 2025}}</ref>
| stat-year = April 2024 - March 2025
| stat1-header = Passengers
| stat1-data = 922 {{increase}}
| stat2-header = Aircraft movements
| stat2-data = 161 {{increase}}
| stat3-header = Cargo tonnage
| stat3-data = -
}}

'''Maa Mahamaya Airport''' {{Airport codes|AHA|VEAP}}, also known as '''Ambikapur Airport''' and '''Darima Airport''', is a [[domestic airport]] serving the city of [[Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh|Ambikapur]] in [[Chhattisgarh]], [[India]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Unserved Airports|url=http://www.aai.aero/public_notices/DETAILS-OF-UNSERVED-AIRPORTS-AIRSTRIPS.pdf|access-date=9 August 2017|website=[[Airports Authority of India]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808234610/http://www.aai.aero/public_notices/DETAILS-OF-UNSERVED-AIRPORTS-AIRSTRIPS.pdf|archive-date=2017-08-08|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is located at Darima, {{convert|12|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of the city centre. It also serves the surrounding northern part of the state consisting of nearby towns like [[Surajpur, Chhattisgarh|Surajpur]], [[Baikunthpur, Koriya|Baikunthpur]], [[Bhatgaon, Surajpur|Bhatgaon]], [[Mainpat]], [[Sitapur]], [[Bishrampur, Chhattisgarh|Bishrampur]], [[Balrampur]] and [[Ramanujganj]]. In the coming years, as the airport will develop, it will connect major cities like [[Jabalpur]], [[New Delhi]], [[Kolkata]] and [[Prayagraj]] with more airlines and bigger aircraft, resulting in enhanced development and employment opportunities to locals and the overall state.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bharat |first=E. T. V. |date=2024-10-20 |title=PM Modi Virtually Inaugurates Airport In Surguja; Common Man Can Now Board Flight in Slippers, Says CM Sai |url=https://www.etvbharat.com/en/!bharat/inauguration-of-ambikapur-airport-pm-modi-gave-gift-of-air-service-to-surguja-enn24102003925 |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=ETV Bharat News |language=en}}</ref> Presently there are no operational flights from Ambikapur Airport

== History ==
The airstrip in Darima area near Ambikapur was constructed in 1950. Then Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi visited the airstrip in 1974.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chhattisgarh: Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel visits Mahamaya Airport runway to inspect finished work |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/chhattisgarh-chief-minister-bhupesh-baghel-visits-mahamaya-airport-runway-to-inspect-finished-work/cid/1935033 |access-date=2023-05-09 |website=www.telegraphindia.com |language=en}}</ref> The airstrip was used for small aircraft and helicopters primarily for VIP visits.

The name of airport was changed from Darima Airport to "Maa Mahamaya Airport, Ambikapur" on 30 March 2021,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-04-03 |title=दरिमा एयरपोर्ट का बदल गया नाम, अब इस नाम से जाना जाएगा {{!}} Airport: Now Darima Airport will be known by Maa Mahamaya airport |url=https://www.patrika.com/ambikapur-news/airport-now-darima-airport-will-be-known-by-maa-mahamaya-airport-6778503/ |access-date=2023-05-09 |website=Patrika News |language=hi-IN}}</ref> In the name of Maa Mahamaya (Ambika Devi), the goddess of Ambikapur city.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ambikapur Mahamaya Temple - History, Timings, Accommodations, Puja |url=https://www.rvatemples.com/listings/ambikapur-mahamaya-temple/ |access-date=2023-05-09 |website=RVA Temples |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Upgrade ==
The airstrip upgrade work was finished in May 2023 at a cost of Rs. 48 crore from category 2C to 3C,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chhattisgarh: Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel visits Mahamaya Airport runway to inspect finished work |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/chhattisgarh-chief-minister-bhupesh-baghel-visits-mahamaya-airport-runway-to-inspect-finished-work/cid/1935033 |access-date=2023-05-09 |website=www.telegraphindia.com |language=en}}</ref> to enable operations of 70-72 seater aircraft under UDAN Scheme. Making this the Fourth Public Serving Airport in Chhattisgarh after Raipur, Jagdalpur and Bilaspur.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chhattisgarh to get second airport at Raigarh|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/raipur/Chhattisgarh-to-get-second-airport-at-Raigarh/articleshow/19824286.cms|access-date=9 August 2017|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date= 1 May 2013}}</ref><gallery mode="nolines">
File:15 06 2023-darima airport2.jpg|Ambikapur Airport
File:Airport Entry.jpg|Airport entry
File:Airport Runway side.jpg|Rear view
File:Parking and Landscape.jpg|Parking and landscaping
File:Runway view.png|Runway view
</gallery>

== Airlines and destinations ==
{{Airport destination list|[[Alliance Air (India)|Alliance Air]]|[[Delhi Airport|Delhi]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Chhattisgarh CM inaugurates Ambikapur–New Delhi flight; Kolkata service from April 2 |url=https://ddnews.gov.in/en/chhattisgarh-cm-inaugurates-ambikapur-new-delhi-flight-kolkata-service-from-april-2/ |website=DD News |publisher=Prasar Bharati |date=30 March 2026 |access-date=12 April 2026}}</ref> [[Kolkata Airport|Kolkata]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Chhattisgarh CM inaugurates Ambikapur–New Delhi flight; Kolkata service from April 2 |url=https://ddnews.gov.in/en/chhattisgarh-cm-inaugurates-ambikapur-new-delhi-flight-kolkata-service-from-april-2/ |website=DD News |publisher=Prasar Bharati |date=30 March 2026 |access-date=12 April 2026}}</ref>
|
[[FlyBig]]|[[Swami Vivekananda Airport|Raipur]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Maa Mahamaya Airport |url=https://flyteam.jp/en/airport/maa-mahamaya-airport/airline_route |access-date=2026-03-25 |website=flyteam.jp}}</ref> [[Bilasa Devi Kevat Airport|Bilaspur]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Maa Mahamaya Airport |url=https://flyteam.jp/en/airport/maa-mahamaya-airport/airline_route |access-date=2026-03-25 |website=flyteam.jp}}</ref>}}

==Operational status==
Upgrades of the airport were completed in May 2023. The first test flight landed on 4 May 2023 by the Aviation authority. After approval of DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation), flights to Delhi, Varanasi, and Raipur are proposed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chhattisgarh: Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel visits Mahamaya Airport runway to inspect finished work |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/chhattisgarh-chief-minister-bhupesh-baghel-visits-mahamaya-airport-runway-to-inspect-finished-work/cid/1935033 |access-date=2023-05-09 |website=www.telegraphindia.com |language=en}}</ref>

DGCA team inspected Ambikapur Airport on 15/05/2023.<ref>{{Citation |title=Ambikapur के Darima Airport पहुंची DGCA की टीम {{!}} रनवे, टर्मिनल और निर्माणकार्यों का ले रहे जायजा | date=15 May 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfRzVLFbimg |access-date= May 31, 2023|language=en}}</ref> The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued the aerodrome license for Ambikapur airport in Chhattisgarh's Surguja district on 15/03/2024 to start flight operations<ref>{{cite news |title=DGCA licenses Ambikapur airport, opens gateway for air travel in northern Chhattisgarh |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/business/dgca-licenses-ambikapur-airport-opens-gateway-for-air-travel-in-northern-chhattisgarh/cid/2007287 |access-date=29 September 2024 |work=[[The Telegraph (India)|The Telegraph]] |date=29 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240316173801/https://www.telegraphindia.com/business/dgca-licenses-ambikapur-airport-opens-gateway-for-air-travel-in-northern-chhattisgarh/cid/2007287 |archive-date=16 March 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Narendra Modi]] virtually inaugurated the airport on October 20, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-15 |title=PM Modi: पीएम मोदी 20 अक्टूबर को करेंगे मां महामाया एयरपोर्ट का वर्चुअल उद्घाटन, यहां तैयारी शुरु {{!}} PM Modi will virtually inaugurate Ambikapur Airport on 20 October |url=https://www.patrika.com/ambikapur-news/pm-modi-will-virtually-inaugurate-ambikapur-airport-on-20-october-19067753 |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=Patrika News |language=hi}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Airports in India}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Airports in Chhattisgarh]]
[[Category:Airports with year of establishment missing]]
[[Category:Airports in India]]
[[Category:Airports Authority of India]]

Maa Mahamaya Airport - Revision history

Ekyaschool at 16:34, 12 April 2026