Jharsuguda Airport


Jharsuguda Airport also known as Veer Surendra Sai Airport is an Indian airport. The airport is located 5 kilometers north-east of Jharsuguda, Odisha. The airport is located in Durlaga, approximately 8.5 km from the Jharsuguda Junction railway station. Named after Surendra Sai, the airport is the sole commercial airport in Western Odisha, and the second commercial airport in the state.

History

The airfield was used during World War II by the RAF and other Allied Forces to counter Indian Freedom Fighters led by Subhas Chandra Bose. After India gained Independence from Allied Forces, the airfield was abandoned.
In July 2013, the Government of Odisha sanctioned 50 crores to kick-start the 175-crore airport development project which was to be jointly executed by the Airports Authority of India and the state government. On 30 July 2014, Odisha government signed a memorandum of understanding with the Airports Authority of India for the mentioned.
In August 2018, the airport received a 4C category licence from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, making Jharsuguda the second commercial airport in Odisha after Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar.
On 22 September 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the airport, in the presence of Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, former Union Minister of Civil Aviation Suresh Prabhu and former Bargarh Lok Sabha Member Prabhas Singh.

Facilities

Runway

Terminal

Inaugurated in September 2018, the passenger terminal is built over an area of with modular design for handling 150 arriving and 150 departing passengers at a time with a scope for future expansion. On 1 November 2018, the airport was renamed after famed freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai by the cabinet. The interiors of the terminal building depict local handcraft, artwork and tourist destinations of Odisha.

Airlines and destinations