Birsa Munda Airport (IATA: IXR), named after India’s great tribal freedom fighter, Birsa Munda serves the city of Ranchi and also other cities of Jharkhand. It is the largest airport in the state of Jharkhand. Truly speaking, Birsa Munda Airport also known as the Ranchi Airport is the only fully operational airport in the state of Jharkhand.
To answer the question, whether Birsa Munda Airport is an International Airport? No, as of April 2020, Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi is not an international airport, meanwhile, there are plans to upgrade the domestic airport into an international category. However, the airport already has an international bay but needs to fulfill some of the required features to get upgraded into an international airport.
Keep scrolling to learn more about Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi.
Table Of Contents
- When Was Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi Built?
- Why Birsa Munda Airport Failed To Upgrade Itself As An International Airport Earlier?
- Birsa Munda International Airport Plan
- Achievements Of Birsa Munda Airport
- Airlines Operating In Birsa Munda Airport
- Cities Connected From Birsa Munda Airport
- Frequently Asked Questions
When Was Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi Built?
Birsa Munda Airport was built in the year 1941, by the Britishers to serve the Royal Airforce, United Kingdom’s Aerial Warfare Force. After Independence, in the year 1949, 546.25 acres of the airport was converted into a Civil Aerodrome. Later on 27th May 2000, the airport was renamed as Birsa Munda Airport after the great freedom fighter from Jharkhand, Birsa Munda.
Why Birsa Munda Airport Failed To Upgrade Itself As An International Airport Earlier?
Earlier in the year 2016, the Airport Authority of Ranchi and the members of the Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FJCCI), requested the Minister of State for Civil Aviation to commence international services to Dubai, at least twice a week. The request was made considering the queue of frequent foreign travels from the state of Jharkhand.
Dubai being the layover for connecting flights to the western countries would have helped the travels from Jharkhand who at the moment has to board international flights from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata or Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. However, the request was turned off as it was still missing a few of the necessary features to become an international airport.
Birsa Munda International Airport Plan
In spite of having an international bay and all the infrastructure, Birsa Munda airport fall short of some of the very basic requirements to become an international airport. However, the 301 acres, Birsa Munda Airport expansion plan is on full mode after the request was denied in the year 2016.
Plans Already Executed
Birsa MundaAirport has already completed a major part of the plan. Here is the list of plans already executed.
Construction Of Cargo Terminal
A new cargo terminal with a capacity to accommodate 50 MT Cargo together was inaugurated by the former chief minister of Jharkhand, Mr. Raghubad Das in February 2017.
More Parking Bays
Six more parking bays have already been added in September 2019, making it the first airport to enter the list of Tier II airports in India.
Pic Courtesy: The Telegraph
Under Process Plans
The expansion plan requires an additional and of approx 300 acres. The Airport Authority is waiting for the cabinet’s response to proceed with the plan.
Here is the list of plans which need to be completed before applying for the international category.
- Runway Extension
- Runway Strip Extension
- Construction of an Isolation Bay
- Construction of More Aerobridge
- More Restaurants and Bars
Runway Extension
The extension of the current runway of 2,713 meters requires an expansion of airport land which is under process in the hand of the cabinet.
Runway Strip Extension
The Birsa Munda Airport currently has a runway strip of 75 meters, which is the minimum length required for any airport. The expansion plan insists on increasing the length of the runway strip to 140 meters.
Construction Of An Isolation Bay
An isolation bay is a must needed for any international airport. It is a secluded bay built on airports to land flights in case of any national emergencies or threats, such a bomb threat, hijacks, etc, or to evacuate infected citizens from different countries during any pandemic such as COVID-19 so that the rest of the airport remains secure.
As of now, Birsa Munda Airport has an isolation bay but it a secluded region.
Construction of More Aerobridge
Birsa Munda Airport currently has two aerobridges which are not sufficient, if the airport hosts international flights, therefore, it requires the construction of new aerobridges also known as sky bridges.
More Restaurants
Birsa Munda Airport currently has restaurants, duty-free shops, and lounge. However, the authorities are planning to add more eateries and joints to the airport.
The duty-free emporium of Jharkhand Silk Textile and Handicraft Development Corporation, also known as Jharcraft inside Ranchi Airport is the best place to buy Jharkhand souvenirs.
Suggested Read:
An Ultimate List Of Things To Buy In Jharkhand
Achievements Of Birsa Munda Airport
| Sl. No | Achievements | Rank | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Tier II Aiport in India | – | – |
| 2. | Busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic | 26 | April 2018 – March 2019 |
| 3. | Busiest airport in terms of aircraft movement | 31 | April 2018 – March 2019 |
| 4. | Busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic | 28 | April 2017 – March 2018 |
| 5. | Busiest airport in terms of aircraft movement | 28 | April 2017 – March 2018 |
| 6. | Busiest airport in terms of cargo movement | 27 | April 2017 – March 2018 |
| 7. | Busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic | 35 | April 2016 – March 2017 |
| 8. | Busiest airport in terms of aircraft movement | 37 | April 2016 – March 2017 |
| more |
Airlines Operating In Birsa Munda Airport
- AirAsia India
- Air India
- Alliance Air
- GoAir
- IndiGo
- Vistara
Cities Connected From Birsa Munda Airport
- Bangalore
- Bhubaneswar
- Hyderabad
- Kolkata
- Mumbai
- New Delhi
- Patna
- Raipur
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Frequently Asked Questions About Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi
Yes, Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi has a lounge.
Ranchi has only one airport i.e Birsa Munda Airport.
Visitors are allowed only at the Visitors area at Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi.
The code of Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi is
IATA: IXR
ICAO: VERC
Yes, the city of Ranchi has an airport. Birsa Munda Airport serves Ranchi, the capital city of Jharkhand.
