Maa Mahamaya Airport Template:Airport codes, also known as Ambikapur Airport and Darima Airport, is a domestic airport serving the city of Ambikapur in Chhattisgarh, India.[1] It is located at Darima, Template:Convert south of the city centre. It also serves the surrounding northern part of the state consisting of nearby towns like Surajpur, Baikunthpur, Bhatgaon, Mainpat, Sitapur, 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.[2] 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.[3] 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,[4] In the name of Maa Mahamaya (Ambika Devi), the goddess of Ambikapur city.[5]
Upgrade
The airstrip upgrade work was finished in May 2023 at a cost of Rs. 48 crore from category 2C to 3C,[6] 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.[7]
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Ambikapur Airport
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Airport entry
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Rear view
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Parking and landscaping
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Runway view
Airlines and destinations
Template:Airport destination list
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.[8]
DGCA team inspected Ambikapur Airport on 15/05/2023.[9] 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[10]
Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the airport on October 20, 2024.[11]
References
- ↑ Unserved Airports. Airports Authority of India. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
- ↑ PM Modi Virtually Inaugurates Airport In Surguja; Common Man Can Now Board Flight in Slippers, Says CM Sai, Bharat, E. T. V.. ETV Bharat News(2024-10-20). Retrieved 2024-10-21.
- ↑ Chhattisgarh: Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel visits Mahamaya Airport runway to inspect finished work. www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
- ↑ दरिमा एयरपोर्ट का बदल गया नाम, अब इस नाम से जाना जाएगा | Airport: Now Darima Airport will be known by Maa Mahamaya airport. Patrika News(2021-04-03). Retrieved 2023-05-09.
- ↑ Ambikapur Mahamaya Temple - History, Timings, Accommodations, Puja. RVA Temples. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
- ↑ Chhattisgarh: Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel visits Mahamaya Airport runway to inspect finished work. www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
- ↑ Chhattisgarh to get second airport at Raigarh. The Times of India(1 May 2013). Retrieved 9 August 2017.
- ↑ Chhattisgarh: Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel visits Mahamaya Airport runway to inspect finished work. www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
- ↑ Ambikapur के Darima Airport पहुंची DGCA की टीम | रनवे, टर्मिनल और निर्माणकार्यों का ले रहे जायजा(15 May 2023).
- ↑ DGCA licenses Ambikapur airport, opens gateway for air travel in northern Chhattisgarh. The Telegraph(29 September 2024). Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ↑ 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. Patrika News(2024-10-15). Retrieved 2024-10-19.