Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport


Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport, also known as Agartala Airport, is a domestic airport 12 kilometres northwest of the city of Agartala, the capital of the state of Tripura in India. It is administered by the Airports Authority of India. It is the third largest airport in North East India and 29th busiest airport in India.

History

The airport was designed and built in 1942 by the then Maharaja of Tripura, Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur Debbarman. It had one primary runway, 05/23, which is now used as a taxiway to Runway 18/36.
During World War II, the airport was used by the 4th Combat Cargo Group of the United States Army Air Forces Tenth Air Force, flying Curtiss C-46 Commando transport aircraft over Burma.
The 4th CCG operated from the airport during December 1944 and January 1945, after which it moved to Chittagong.
The airport experienced international operations when Indian Airlines flew to Dhaka-Tejgaon Airport and Khulna in East Pakistan/Bangladesh from Agartala.

Airlines and destinations

Accidents and incidents

In June AAI decided to upgrade the airport to international standards which will be third international airport in North-east region after Imphal. The AAI has undrtaken project to upgrade the airport to provide world class faccilities. The state Government has already provided land to AAI to build new terminal building, runway and other necessary infrastructure. The upgradation is expected to completed by the early 2025. Upon completion flights between Agartala and Bangladeshi cities like Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet, will be operated.