Pithoragarh Airport Handed Over To Air Force, Civil Flights Will Also Operate

Close to China and Nepal border in Uttarakhand (Close to China and Nepal border in Uttarakhand) the strategically important Pithoragarh’s Naini Saini Airport will be developed by the Indian Air Force in its possession. After coming under the control of the Air Force, both civilian and military flights will operate from this airport. After getting the green signal from the state government, the top officials of the Air Force inspected the airport and started the exercise to take it under their control.

The Naini Saini airport in Pithoragarh district bordering Nepal is strategically important. Being adjacent to the China border has increased the importance of the strategically important Naini Saini Airport for the Indian Air Force.

The airport is currently used by the Air Force with passenger flights. After taking over, the operation and maintenance of the airport will be the responsibility of the Indian Air Force. People of border districts will also get the benefit of regular flights. Being an airport of strategic importance, the airstrip will also be expanded here in future. After this, big aircraft will also be able to fly from here.

The airstrip at Naini Saini was completed in the year 1991. The runway here was only for commercial flights. 65 crore to 1600 meters long and 60 meters wide runway was built on it. The trial landing of the nine-seater aircraft was done in November 2015. An attempt was made to start regular flights from January 26, 2016, but the flight could not be started due to several shortcomings.

In the year 2018, DGCA inspected and gave the green signal, then by strengthening the security system including air traffic control, fire brigade, a ticket booking counter was established in the terminal building. After this the first commercial flight started on January 17, 2019.

Direct flights to Hindon in Ghaziabad started on 11 October 2019 after regular flights to Dehradun and Pantnagar from Naini Saini Airport. No aircraft has landed on this runway for the general public after the aircraft skidded off the runway in March, 2020.

Air Force officials sent a proposal to the Uttarakhand government to take over the airport. A few days ago, top officials of the Indian Air Force inspected the airport and started the exercise to take it under their control.

Uttarakhand Chief Secretary SS Sandhu said that the Air Force had proposed to the state government to operate this airport under its control, which has been approved. Till now it was operated by the State Civil Aviation Department.

Being adjacent to the China border, the importance of the strategically important Naini Saini Airport has increased for the Indian Air Force. The Air Force already operates several other airports including Chandigarh and Prayagraj.

Now the Air Force will operate the airport located at Naini Saini in Pithoragarh border district. After the Air Force takes over the airport, military and civilian flights will operate simultaneously from here. (hs)