Chandigarh Airport
{{Short description|Customs airport in Chandigarh, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2016}}
{{Infobox airport
| name = Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport
(Chandigarh Airport)
| image = File:Terminal Building - Chandigarh International Airport - Mohali 2016-08-04 5875.JPG
| image-width = 290px
| caption =
| location = Chandigarh, Punjab, India
| elevation-m = 314
| metric-elev = Y
| pushpin_label = IXC
| coordinates = {{coord|30|40|29|N|76|47|26|E|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_map = India Chandigarh#India
| r1-surface = Asphalt
| metric-rwy = Y
| IATA = IXC
| type = Military/Public
| operator = Chandigarh International Airport Limited (CHIAL){{Cite report|title=CHIAL|url=https://icmai.in/upload/pd/CHIAL_1012_2020.pdf|publisher=ICMAI|access-date=16 November 2023}}
{{smalldiv|
- Airports Authority of India (51%)
- Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (24.5%)
- Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (24.5%)
}}
| city-served = Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula
| focus_city = IndiGo{{Cite web |date=2022-03-21 |title=Ready to soar |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/sas-nagar-mohali/chandigarh-international-airport-hub-for-air-travel-7828718/ |access-date=2022-03-26 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}
| website = [https://www.aai.aero/en/airports/chandigarh Chandigarh Airport]
| r1-number = 11/29
| r1-length-m = 3170
| stat-year = April 2023 - March 2024
| stat1-header = Passengers
| stat1-data = 3,721,229 ({{increase}} 1.2%)
| stat2-header = Aircraft movements
| stat2-data = 26,315 ({{decrease}} 9.4%)
| stat3-header = Cargo tonnage
| stat3-data = 8,303 ({{decrease}} 11.3%)
| footnotes = Sources: AAI{{cite web|title=Annexure III – Passenger Data|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k24Annex3.pdf|website=aai.aero|access-date=20 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=20 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=20 April 2024}}
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of airport in Chandigarh
| owner = Airports Authority of India
}}
Chandigarh Airport {{airport codes|IXC|VICG}}, officially Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, is a customs airport serving the union territory of Chandigarh, India.{{Cite web |title=LIST OF INDIAN AIRPORTS |url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/basic_page_files/list%20of%20airport%20bilingual.pdf }} The airport is located in Jhiurheri, Mohali, Punjab and shares space with the Indian Air Force.{{cite web | author=India | title=Land gone, Jheurheri villagers set up hotels near Chandigarh airport | website=The Indian Express | date=10 September 2015 | url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/land-gone-jheurheri-villagers-set-up-hotels-near-chandigarh-airport/ | access-date=30 December 2015}} The airport caters to 17 domestic destinations and two international destinations. The airport is named after the freedom fighter Bhagat Singh.{{Cite news|date=28 September 2022|title=Chandigarh airport renamed after Bhagat Singh: End of a long dispute between Punjab, Haryana |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/punjab-haryana-bhagat-singh-chandigarh-airport-8178854/ |access-date=14 November 2022|newspaper=The Indian Express |language=en}} The airport is operated by CHIAL (Chandigarh International Airport Limited) which is a joint venture company between Airports Authority of India (51%), Government of Punjab (24.5%) and Government of Haryana (24.5%).{{cite web|url=https://www.chial.org/about-us/|title=CHIAL, about us|publisher=CHIAL|access-date=16 November 2023}}
The airport was awarded as the 'Best Airport by Hygiene Measures' in the Asia-Pacific region in 2021, by Airports Council International.aci.aero/customer-experience-asq/asq-awards-and-recognition/asq-awards/current-winner-2020/best-hygiene-measures/
History
Chandigarh Airport operated all its civil and commercial operations from the civil enclave of the Indian Air Force Station. Indian Airlines started operating flights from Chandigarh to Delhi in the 1970s. A new airport building was constructed in the civil enclave and was opened on 14 April 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110415/cth1.htm |title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories |publisher=Tribuneindia.com |access-date=12 March 2017}} This air terminal was declared a customs airport on 19 August 2011, making it eligible for a limited number of international flights, but no international flight ever operated from this terminal.{{cite web|title = The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories|url = http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120609/cth1.htm|website = www.tribuneindia.com|access-date = 29 December 2015}}
In 2008, the Government of Punjab acquired 304.04 acres of land on the south side of the existing runway in Jhiurheri village at a cost of {{INRConvert|452|c|year=2008}} to build the new terminal, which was completed in 2015 at a cost of {{INRConvert|939|c|year=2015}}.{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/pm-narendra-modi-inaugurates-new-terminal-at-chandigarh-airport/articleshow/48909444.cms|title=PM Narendra Modi inaugurates new terminal at Chandigarh airport - The Economic Times|work=indiatimes.com}}{{Cite web |url=http://gmada.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/RTIGMADA.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=17 September 2016 |archive-date=4 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170104182208/http://gmada.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/RTIGMADA.pdf |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|title = The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Main News|url = http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20071116/main6.htm|website = www.tribuneindia.com|access-date = 29 December 2015}} The Government of Punjab through GMADA and the Government of Haryana through HUDA each have a 24.5% stake and the Airports Authority of India holds the rest, a 51% stake in CHIAL the operator of the airport.{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/chandigarh/pm-inaugurates-new-terminal-at-chandigarh-airport/131730.html|title=PM inaugurates new terminal at Chandigarh airport|work=Trinuneindia News Service|access-date=17 September 2016}}
On 24 December 2015, the Mohali Industries Association filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Punjab and Haryana High Court for non-operation of international flights after spending {{INRConvert|1400|c|year=2015}} on the airport.{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/chandigarh/community/mohali-industries-assn-files-pil-against-centre/175173.html|title=Mohali Industries Assn files PIL against Centre|last=The Tribune Chandigarh|first=Tribune News|website=tribuneindia.com|access-date=5 April 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/chandigarh/shut-airport-if-you-can-t-make-it-operational-hc/216246.html|title=Shut airport, if you can't make it operational: HC|last=The Tribune Chandigarh|first=Tribune News|website=tribuneindia.com|access-date=5 April 2016}} After numerous hearings at Punjab and Haryana High Court and a long wait, IndiGo and Air India Express commenced flights to Dubai and Sharjah respectively in September 2016.{{Cite news|url=http://gulfbusiness.com/air-india-express-launches-services-dubai-sharjah/|title=Air India Express launches services to Dubai and Sharjah |date=16 October 2016| magazine=Gulf Business |access-date=23 July 2018|language=en-US}}{{cite web|url=https://www.businesstoday.in/sectors/aviation/indigo-to-start-chandigarh-dubai-flights-from-september/story/235629.html|title=IndiGo to start Chandigarh-Dubai flights from September|website=www.businesstoday.in|date=August 2016 |access-date=23 July 2018}}
Facilities
=Terminal=
The new terminal was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 11 September 2015.{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/PM-Modi-inaugrates-Chandigarh-International-Airport/articleshow/48910532.cms|title=PM Modi inaugurates Chandigarh International Airport|work=The Times of India|date=11 September 2015|access-date=11 September 2015}} The terminal was built by Larsen and Toubro and became operational on 19 October 2015.{{cite news|title=India Has a New Eco-Friendly Airport Terminal. And It Is More than Just Amazing!|url = http://www.thebetterindia.com/34255/new-terminal-at-chandigarh-international-airport/|website = The Better India|date = 24 September 2015|access-date = 29 December 2015}}{{cite news|url=http://www.businesstoday.in/sectors/aviation/pm-narendra-modi-inaugurates-new-terminal-chandigarh-airport/story/223669.html|title=PM Narendra Modi inaugurates new terminal at Chandigarh airport|date=11 September 2015 |publisher=Business Today}}
File:Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the new civil air terminal at Chandigarh airport.jpg inaugurating the new terminal on 11 September 2015]]
Construction of the new terminal included two link taxiways to the terminal and cargo complex. A new taxiway was added in April 2022 increasing the aircraft handling capacity to 20 per hour.{{cite news| url=https://www.indiatoday.in/cities/chandigarh/story/chandigarh-airport-gets-new-taxi-track-cut-back-occupancy-time-1937485-2022-04-14|title=Chandigarh airport gets new taxi track to cut back occupancy time|publisher=India Today|date=14 April 2022}} The terminal has five bays with aerobridges and eight remote parking stands. The terminal covers 53,000 sq. metres with a capacity to handle 1600 passengers at a time and a parking space for 150 vehicles. The departures are on first floor and arrivals on ground floor. There is one ATM located in the parking area, WiFi inside the terminal, and one duty-free shop in the departures area.{{cite news|url=https://www.nyoooz.com/news/chandigarh/848191/chandigarh-international-airport-two-years-after-inauguration-new-terminal-to-get-wifi-facility/ |title=Chandigarh International Airport: Two years after inauguration, new terminal to get Wi-Fi facility | CHANDIGARH NYOOOZ |publisher=Nyoooz.com |date=25 June 2017 |access-date=5 May 2018}}{{cite news|last=Balachandran |first=Vappala |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/chandigarh/airport-gets-another-duty-free-shop/622851.html |title=Airport gets another duty-free shop |publisher=Tribuneindia.com |date=19 July 2018 |access-date=2 October 2018}}
=Runway=
The airport has single runway 11/29. From 2017 , the runway went through a major upgrade and repair that was completed on 9 April 2019. The expanded runway with approach lighting is {{Convert|12400|ft|m|abbr=on}} long with effective take-off length of runway {{Convert|10400|ft|m|abbr=on}}.{{cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/chandigarh-runway-to-be-available-for-night-operations-by-aug-2019-iaf-118051601326_1.html |title=ixc |newspaper=Business Standard India |date=16 May 2018 |access-date=16 May 2018|agency=Press Trust of India }} {{As of|2019|April|10|since=y}}, the airport is available for 24 hour operations. Additional runway approach lighting in the touchdown zone was installed in 2021 to assist in landing during foggy weather.{{Cite web |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/chandigarh/flight-service-at-chandigarh-international-airport-to-stay-smooth-during-fog-316225 |title=Flight service at Chandigarh International Airport to stay smooth during fog : The Tribune India |access-date=16 October 2021 |archive-date=16 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016193615/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/chandigarh/flight-service-at-chandigarh-international-airport-to-stay-smooth-during-fog-316225 |url-status=dead }} As of 2022, runway is 10,400 ft Code 4E and equipped with 900 AFLS, 02 ILS, CAT I ILS at Rwy 11 and CAT-II at Rwy 29 making IXC capable to handle wide-bodied aircraft.{{Citation needed|date=November 2022}}
=Cargo terminal=
The airport includes an integrated common use cargo terminal. The cargo terminal includes five buildings of {{cvt|450|sqm}} each, with one building designated for perishable goods.{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/since-aug-23-airport-has-handled-3k-tonne-cargo/articleshow/107474549.cms | title=Since Aug '23, airport has handled 3k tonne cargo | newspaper=The Times of India | date=7 February 2024 }}
Airlines and destinations
{{anchor | Destinations | Destination }}
file:Chandigarh International Airport - Ready to serve Internationally now.jpg
{{Airport destination list
|Air India | Bengaluru, Delhi, Kolkata, Leh, Mumbai
| {{nowrap|Alliance Air}} | Delhi
|IndiGo | Abu Dhabi,{{cite web|url=https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/indigo-to-start-new-flights-to-abu-dhabi-from-chandigarh-this-may/|title=IndiGo to start new flights to Abu Dhabi from Chandigarh this May|work=Travel and Tour World|date=12 April 2024 |accessdate=12 April 2024}} Ahmedabad,{{cite web|url=https://www.goindigo.in/information/new-flights.html|title=New Flights Information, Status & Schedule | IndiGo|website=www.goindigo.in}} Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Dharamshala,{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/ArenaJet/status/1766450063956414503|title=IndiGo to launch 2nd Route from Dharamshala, From April 2, the airline will connect Chandigarh to Dharamshala|work=JetArena|accessdate=9 March 2024}} Dubai–International, Goa–Dabolim, Hyderabad, Indore,{{cite news|author1=Sharma, Anu|title=IndiGo commences direct flights between Indore and Chandigarh|url=https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/indigo-commences-direct-flights-between-indore-and-chandigarh-11667305029372.html|work=Livemint|date=1 November 2022|access-date=1 November 2022|language=en}} Jaipur,{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/jaipur-to-get-new-flights-to-goa-and-chandigarh/articleshow/79712804.cms|title=Jaipur to get new flights to Goa and Chandigarh|work=Times of India|date=14 December 2020 |access-date=15 January 2021}} Jammu,{{cite web|url=https://centreforaviation.com/news/indigo-to-commence-chandigarh-jammu-service-in-apr-2024-1252321|title=IndiGo to commence Chandigarh-Jammu service in Apr-2024|work=CAPA|accessdate=7 March 2024}} Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Patna, Pune, Srinagar{{cite web|url=https://www.goindigo.in/information/flight-schedule.html?linkNav=flight-schedule_footer|title=IndiGo flight schedules|publisher=goindigo.in}}
}}
Statistics
{{Airport-Statistics|iata=IXC}}
See also
{{Clear}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20161023191056/http://www.aai.aero/allAirports/chandigarh_generalinfo.jsp Chandigarh Airport - Airport Authority of India]
{{Portalbar|India|Aviation}}
{{Airports in India}}
{{Indian Air Force}}{{Authority control}}
Category:Airports in Chandigarh
Category:Buildings and structures in Chandigarh
Category:Transport in Chandigarh
Category:1970s establishments in Chandigarh
Category:Year of establishment missing
Category:Airports established in the 1970s