Agartala, September 16: The proposed development of Kailashahar Airport is awaiting a formal commitment from airlines, with the airport authorities ready to begin work once an operator confirms plans to launch services, MBB Airport Director Krishnan Mohan Nehra said on Wednesday.
Nehra said one or two airlines are currently working on written proposals for starting flights from Kailashahar. The proposed infrastructure and facilities would be planned according to the aircraft type and operational requirements specified by the airlines.
“If an airline gives its consent, we will make that airport operational,” he said.
However, the airport needs considerable expansion to handle larger aircraft and facilitate operations in adverse weather conditions. Nehra said 205 acres of additional land has been sought from the State Government for the planned development.
He said smaller aircraft could operate from Kailashahar under Visual Flight Rules when weather conditions are clear. For operations during low visibility, however, the airport would require an Instrument Landing System (ILS).
The ILS would provide aircraft with guidance during landing, including alignment with the runway centreline as well as directional and distance information, Nehra said.
“As soon as the land is provided, we will develop it,” he added.
On the reduction in flight frequencies from Agartala, Nehra said airline companies determine schedules based on commercial and operational requirements. Aircraft availability and maintenance schedules can also lead to changes in services.
He said Hyderabad flights, which had earlier operated five days a week, have now been reduced to three days, while schedules for Delhi flights have also been modified.
Nehra said he had written to airline CEOs requesting them to maintain services from Agartala, pointing to the continuing demand among passengers. The State Government, he added, has also taken up the matter with the Union Civil Aviation Ministry.
According to Nehra, passenger movement generally remains lower between July and September but increases considerably during the festival season.
MBB Airport currently handles around 14 arrivals and 14 departures a day, with daily passenger traffic averaging 4,000-4,500. During peak periods, the airport handles nearly 6,000 passengers a day, while flight occupancy can reach 95-99 per cent.
The airport handled about 1.5 million passengers in 2025-26 and stood sixth nationally in the Customer Satisfaction Survey, Nehra said.
He also announced two campaigns focused on improving passenger facilities. ‘Swachhta Hi Seva’ will be held from September 17 to October 2, while ‘Yatri Sewa Abhiyan 2026’ will continue until October 10.
The initiatives will cover cleanliness, passenger information, baggage services, drinking water, digital facilities and improved accessibility for senior citizens and Divyangjan. Special attention will also be given to women- and child-friendly facilities, cultural activities and emergency preparedness.
Nehra said passenger convenience would remain a continuous priority at the airport, with “Service with Smile” as the central theme of the service initiatives.
