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Airports in Uttarakhand

December 6, 2023

Airports in Uttarakhand are like key doors to its beauty. Whether it’s the busy Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun or smaller ones like Naini Saini and Chinyalisaur, each helps people reach the stunning mountains and spiritual places. These airports are not just for travel but also boost Uttarakhand’s growth by bringing in tourists and businesses. They connect the state to the rest of India, ensuring Uttarakhand’s special charm is accessible to all.

Jolly Grant Airport

- Location: Dehradun
- IATA Code: DED
- ICAO Code: VIDN
- Type: Domestic and International
- Runway Length: 2,865 meters
- Capacity: 1,200 (domestic), 400 (international) passengers per hour
- Primary Airlines: Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Go First, Vistara
- Destinations: Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Dubai, Sharjah, Kathmandu

Jolly Grant Airport (IATA: DED, ICAO: VIDN) is the largest and busiest airport in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is located in the town of Jauligrant, about 25 kilometers (16 mi) from the state capital, Dehradun. The airport is named after Sir Jolly Grant, a British administrator who served as the Governor of Bengal from 1832 to 1835.

The airport has a single runway that is 2,865 meters (9,400 ft) long and 45 meters (148 ft) wide. It can accommodate all types of aircraft, including wide-body jets. The airport has two terminals: a domestic terminal and an international terminal. The domestic terminal has a capacity of 1,200 passengers per hour, while the international terminal has a capacity of 400 passengers per hour.

The airport is served by several airlines, including Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Go First, and Vistara. It offers direct flights to major cities in India, such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, and Hyderabad. The airport also offers international flights to Dubai, Sharjah, and Kathmandu.

In 2019-20, Jolly Grant Airport handled over 3.5 million passengers, making it the 22nd busiest airport in India. The airport is a major economic driver for the state of Uttarakhand, and it plays an important role in the tourism industry.

Airport facilities

Jolly Grant Airport has a number of facilities to cater to the needs of passengers. These include:

A large arrivals and departures hall
Check-in counters for all major airlines
Baggage handling facilities
A food court
Duty-free shops
Currency exchange counters
ATMs
A medical facility
A car rental service

Airport access

Jolly Grant Airport is well-connected to Dehradun and other parts of Uttarakhand. The airport is located on the National Highway 72, which connects Dehradun to Rishikesh and Haridwar. The airport is also served by a number of buses and taxis.

Here are some additional details about Jolly Grant Airport:

The airport is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The airport has a parking lot with a capacity of over 500 cars.
The airport has a helipad for helicopter operations.
The airport is equipped with a modern air traffic control system.
The airport has a fire station and a rescue team.

Pantnagar Airport

- Location: Pantnagar
- IATA Code: PBU
- ICAO Code: VIPN
- Type: Domestic
- Runway Length: 2,300 meters
- Capacity: 200 passengers per hour
- Primary Airlines: SpiceJet, Air India
- Destinations: Delhi, Dehradun, Chandigarh

Pantnagar Airport (IATA: PBU, ICAO: VIPN) is located in the town of Pantnagar, about 50 kilometres (31 mi) from the city of Rudrapur, the district headquarters of Udham Singh Nagar district in Uttarakhand, India. The airport is primarily used for agricultural and industrial purposes, but it also caters to nearby hill stations like Nainital, Bhimtal, Ranikhet, and Almora.

The airport has a single runway that is 2,300 metres (7,500 ft) long and 45 metres (148 ft) wide. It can accommodate smaller aircraft, such as turboprop and twin-engine jets. The airport has a single terminal with a capacity of 200 passengers per hour.

The airport is served by a few airlines, including SpiceJet and Air India. It offers direct flights to major cities in India, such as Delhi, Dehradun, and Chandigarh.

In 2019-20, Pantnagar Airport handled over 100,000 passengers, making it the 58th busiest airport in India. The airport plays an important role in the agricultural and industrial development of Udham Singh Nagar district.

Pithoragarh Airport

- Location: Pithoragarh
- IATA Code: PGT
- ICAO Code: VIPG
- Type: Domestic
- Runway Length: 1,210 meters
- Capacity: 50 passengers per hour
- Primary Airlines: Heritage Aviation
- Destinations: Delhi

Pithoragarh Airport (IATA: PGT, ICAO: VIPG) is located in the town of Pithoragarh, the district headquarters of Pithoragarh district in Uttarakhand, India. The airport serves the remote district of Pithoragarh and surrounding areas. It primarily handles domestic flights.

The airport has a single runway that is 1,210 metres (3,970 ft) long and 30 metres (98 ft) wide. It can accommodate small aircraft, such as turboprop and light jets. The airport has a single terminal with a capacity of 50 passengers per hour.

The airport is served by a single airline, Heritage Aviation. It offers direct flights to Delhi.

In 2019-20, Pithoragarh Airport handled over 10,000 passengers. The airport plays an important role in connecting the remote district of Pithoragarh to the rest of the country.

Gauchar Airport

- Location: Gauchar
- IATA Code: VIJK
- Type: Primarily military and emergency, with limited civilian operations
- Runway Length: 1,525 meters
- Capacity: 50 passengers per hour
- Primary Airlines: Air India, Pawan Hans
- Destinations: Delhi, Dehradun

Gauchar Airport (ICAO: VIJK) is located in the town of Gauchar, the district headquarters of Chamoli district in Uttarakhand, India. The airport is primarily used for military and emergency purposes. However, it also has limited civilian operations.

The airport has a single runway that is 1,525 metres (5,003 ft) long and 30 metres (98 ft) wide. It can accommodate small aircraft, such as turboprop and light jets. The airport has a single terminal with a capacity of 50 passengers per hour.

The airport is served by a few airlines, including Air India and Pawan Hans. It offers direct flights to Delhi and Dehradun.

In 2019-20, Gauchar Airport handled over 1,000 passengers. The airport plays an important role in providing connectivity to the remote district of Chamoli.

Bharkot Airport (under construction)

- Location: Uttarkashi
- IATA Code: VIUA
- Type: Domestic
- Runway Length: 1,800 meters
- Capacity: 100 passengers per hour
- Primary Airlines: Air India, Pawan Hans
- Destinations: Delhi, Dehradun

Bharkot Airport (ICAO: VIUA) is currently under construction and is expected to be operational in 2024. It will serve the remote district of Uttarkashi and nearby areas.

The airport will have a single runway that is 1,800 metres (5,906 ft) long and 30 metres (98 ft) wide. It can accommodate small aircraft, such as turboprop and light jets. The airport will have a single terminal with a capacity of 100 passengers per hour.

The airport will be served by a few airlines, including Air India and Pawan Hans. It will offer direct flights to Delhi and Dehradun.

The construction of Bharkot Airport is expected to boost tourism and economic development in the remote district of Uttarkashi.

Conclusion

Uttarakhand has a good network of airports that cater to the needs of both domestic and international travelers. The state’s largest airport, Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun), is a major hub for air travel in the region. The other four airports, Pantnagar Airport (Udham Singh Nagar), Pithoragarh Airport (Pithoragarh), Gauchar Airport (Chamoli), and Bharkot Airport (Uttarkashi), play an important role in connecting remote areas of the state and providing essential services. As Uttarakhand continues to develop, its airports will play an increasingly important role in the state’s economy and infrastructure.