Bagdogra Airport

{{Infobox airport

| name = 50px
Bagdogra Airport

| image = Bagdogra_International_Airport.jpg

| caption = Bagdogra Airport in Siliguri, West Bengal

| image-width =

| IATA = IXB

| ICAO = VEBD

| pushpin_map = India West Bengal#India

| pushpin_label = IXB/VEBD

| type = Customs

| owner = Indian Air Force

| operator = Airports Authority of India

| city-served = Siliguri

| location = Bagdogra, Siliguri, West Bengal, India

| hub = {{ubl|Air India Express|IndiGo}}

| 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

| stat-year = April 2023 - March 2024

| stat1-header = Passengers

| stat1-data = 3,118,368 ({{increase}} 22%)

| stat2-header = Aircraft movements

| stat2-data = 20,838 ({{increase}} 16.2%)

| stat3-header = Cargo tonnage

| stat3-data = 8,445 ({{decrease}} 6.1%)

| footnotes = Source: Airports Authority of India{{cite web|title=Annexure III – Passenger Data|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k24Annex3.pdf|website=aai.aero|access-date=22 April 2024}}{{cite web|title=Annexure II – Aircraft Movement Data|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k24Annex2.pdf|website=aai.aero|access-date=22 April 2024}}{{cite web|title=Annexure IV – Freight Movement Data|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k24Annex4.pdf|website=aai.aero|access-date=22 April 2024}}

}}

File:Bagdogra International Airport - during LGFC - Bhutan 2019 (24).jpg

Bagdogra Airport {{airport codes|IXB|VEBD}} ({{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.{{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}}

It is operated as a civil enclave at Bagdogra Air Force Station of the Indian Air Force. It is the gateway to the hill stations of Darjeeling, Gangtok, Kurseong, Kalimpong, Mirik and other parts of North Bengal region and North Eastern Bihar. 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 Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi and Paro. This is the second busiest airport in West Bengal.

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.{{cite web| url = http://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}} 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 17th-busiest airport in India. It is one of the few airports in India with zero sales tax on aviation turbine fuel.{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150728/jsp/calcutta/story_34042.jsp#.Vbar1fmqqko|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150728095856/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150728/jsp/calcutta/story_34042.jsp#.Vbar1fmqqko|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 July 2015|title=Bagdogra backs CM flight path- Tax waiver fuels air traffic growth|newspaper=The Telegraph (Calcutta)|access-date=27 July 2015}} 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.{{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}} 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.{{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}} The base caters to all military air traffic for the Indian Army's XXXIII Corps based nearby in Sukna.{{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|language=en}}

Expansion

The Government of West Bengal had handed over {{convert|14.5|acre|ha}} of land to the Ministry of Civil Aviation for developing infrastructure for night landing in 2010. AAI also expanded the apron at the same time, enabling the parking of 5 narrow-body aircraft simultaneously.{{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}} 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.{{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}}

The new terminal building, which started its construction in Q4 2024, is expected to be completed by March 2027 with 16 parking bays, 10 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.{{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}} After the expansion of the airport, more international flights can land here, and will turn this customs airport into an international one.{{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}}

Airlines and destinations

{{Airport-dest-list

| Air India | Delhi, Dibrugarh

| {{nowrap|Air India Express}}{{cite web|url=https://www.airindiaexpress.com/where-we-fly/airports|title=Our Network|work=Air India Express|access-date=6 June 2024}} | Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Jaipur

| Akasa Air{{cite web|title=Akasa Air Flight Network|url=https://www.akasaair.com/fly-with-akasa/our-network|website=Akasa Air|access-date=31 October 2023}} | Ahmedabad,{{cite web |title=Akasa Air NW24 Ahmedabad Network Additions |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/241022-qpnw24amd |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=22 October 2024}} Bengaluru, Guwahati, Mumbai

| Drukair | Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi, Paro{{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}}{{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}}

| IndiGo{{cite web|url=https://www.flightconnections.com/route-map-indigo-airlines-6e|title=IndiGo Airlines Route Map and Destinations|website=FlightConnections.com|date=29 May 2023 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.goindigo.in/information/flight-schedule.html|title=Flight Schedule for Domestic & International Flights |website=IndiGo |access-date=25 December 2018}} | Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Delhi, Durgapur,{{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}} Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai

| SpiceJet{{cite web|title=Flight schedule|publisher=SpiceJet|url=https://www.spicejet.com/schedules.aspx|access-date=10 November 2024}} | Delhi, Guwahati, Kolkata, Mumbai

}}

== Statistics ==

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.{{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 }}
5 July 2013: AI879, an A320 arriving from 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.{{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|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 }}
11 July 2014: A mishap was avoided between IndiGo flight 6E472 and Air India flight AI879. Both aircraft received a 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.{{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 }}
15 February 2019: An Air Asia India 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 DGCA in view of violating laid down procedures.{{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 }}
16 December 2019: An IndiGo A320neo bound for Kolkata performed an emergency landing in view of engine related issues. The aircraft was using Pratt & Whitney engines. Out of the two engines, one engine was not modified which caused the issue.{{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|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 }}
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.{{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}}{{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}}

References

External links

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

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