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Juhu Aerodrome

2022-12-16T19:40:43Z

2600:1700:5390:4560:D43A:CFF2:CAA9:8AF1:

{{Short description|Aerodrome in Mumbai, India. First airfield in India}}
{{Redirect|VAJJ|the euphemism used in ''Grey's Anatomy''|Vajayjay}}
{{Coord|19|05|53|N|72|50|02|E|type:airport|display=title}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2019}}
{{Infobox airport
| name = Juhu Aerodrome
| image = Juhu Aerodrome.jpg
| image-width = 220px
| IATA =
| ICAO = VAJJ
| pushpin_map = Mumbai
| type = Public
| owner =
| operator = [[Airports Authority of India]]
| city-served = [[Mumbai]] since 1928
| location = [[Juhu]], [[Maharashtra]], [[India]]
| hub =
*[[Pawan Hans]]
| elevation-f = 13
| elevation-m = 4
| website =
| r1-number = 08/26
| r1-length-f = 3,750
| r1-length-m = 1,143
| r1-surface = Paved
| r2-number = 16/34
| r2-length-f = 2,400
| r2-length-m = 731
| r2-surface = Paved
| footnotes =
}}
'''Juhu Aerodrome''' {{Airport codes||VAJJ}} is located in [[Juhu]], an upmarket residential [[suburb]] of [[Mumbai]], [[India]]. It is used by small [[General Aviation]] aircraft and helicopters.<ref name="book76647674">{{cite book | author=Volume 7 | title=Asian and Indian skyways | year=1953 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zhs-AQAAIAAJ |access-date=20 February 2011}} Page 52</ref> It was founded in 1928 as India's first civil aviation airport,<ref name=rediff07>{{cite news|title=Juhu airstrip to get a facelift|url=http://inhome.rediff.com/money/2007/oct/13juhu.htm|access-date=10 February 2012|newspaper=[[Rediff.com]]|date=13 October 2007}}</ref> In 1932, [[JRD Tata]] landed at the Juhu Aerodrome, inaugurating India's first scheduled commercial mail service. Juhu served as the city's primary airport during and up to [[World War II]]. In 1948, commercial operations were moved to the much larger [[RAF Santacruz]] (now [[Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport]]; CSIA) which was built 2 km east of Juhu aerodrome during the war.

Today, the aerodrome handles all helicopter operations out of Mumbai. It also hosts the [[Bombay Flying Club]] and several executive and light aircraft and [[Glider (sailplane)|gliders]]. In 2010, the [[Airports Authority of India]] (AAI), which runs the airport, proposed to extend the runway 08/26 into the sea to allow larger aircraft to land, however permission for this was denied by the [[Ministry of Environment and Forests (India)|Ministry of Environment and Forests]]. With the New Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules of 2011 permitting roads on stilts, the Airports Authority of India announced in January 2012 that it would once again pursue its plan of extending the runway at Juhu Aerodrome into the sea.<ref>At Juhu aerodrome VHF (very high frequency) communication exists at 124.35 MHz.</ref>

==History==
The aerodrome started off as an unpaved airfield in 1928. It was used by the then newly established Bombay Flying Club for teaching, joy-rides, and air travel. The activities of the club were limited by the fact that the aerodrome at Juhu was not suitable during the monsoon. Much progress had been made in the layout of the ground of the aerodrome by 1932, although the ground was still not fit for use during that year's monsoon.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bombay Aerodrome at Juhu |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1932/1932%20-%200843.html |work=[[Flight Global]] |date=19 August 1932 |access-date=16 September 2011 }}</ref> [[J. R. D. Tata]], the father of civil aviation in India, made his maiden voyage to Juhu Airport from [[Drigh Road Airstrip]] in [[Karachi]], via [[Ahmedabad]], on 15 October 1932 carrying mail in a [[de Havilland Puss Moth|Puss Moth]] aircraft.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Tata Airmail Service |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1933/1933%20-%200531.html |work=[[Flight Global]] |date=14 September 1933 |access-date=16 September 2011 }}</ref>
The Tata Airmail Service, as it was called, continued on to Pune, Bellary, and Madras.<ref>{{cite news |title=When air mail came to Madras |url=http://madrasmusings.com/Vol%2020%20No%2014/when-air-mail-came-to-madras.html |work= Madras musings | date=1–15 November 2010 |access-date=16 September 2011 }}</ref> This was the birth of [[Air India]], which, in 1932, was based here out of a hut with a palm-thatched roof and had 1 pilot and 2 apprentice mechanics with 2-piston-engined aircraft, a [[de Havilland Puss Moth|Puss Moth]] and a [[de Havilland Leopard Moth|Leopard Moth]].<ref name="isbn8120724828">{{cite book |author1=Pran Nath Seth |author2=Pran Nath Seth |author3=Sushma Seth Bhat | title=An introduction to travel and tourism | publisher=Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd| year=2005 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AcGn-Fmc43sC&pg=PA112|page=112 | isbn=978-81-207-2482-2 }}</ref><ref name="isbn8120813227">{{cite book | author=Bepin Behari | title=Astrological Biographies: Seventeen Examples of Predictive Insights | publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ. | year=1996 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vI_OINmOtDYC| isbn=978-81-208-1322-9 | page= 341}}</ref> Two bitumen runways - one aligned East - West, and the others North-Northwest - South-Southeast, were laid in 1936. During the monsoons, operations had to be shifted to [[Pune|Poona]] due to water logging. A third runway was planned for construction in 1939 but this never occurred. It served as the city's airport up to and during [[World War II]].<ref name=aotw>{{cite book | last=Stroud | first=John | title=Airports of the world: Putnam Aeronautical Books | year=1980 | publisher=Putnam | isbn=0-370-30037-8 | page=161}}</ref>

[[File:Juhu aerodrome composite.jpg|thumb|left|Runway 08/26, pointing towards the [[Arabian Sea]]]]
Waterlogging during the monsoon and the absence of proper runways for monsoon take-offs were serious drawbacks for Juhu aerodrome. The former problem was addressed by replacement of the bitumen runways with concrete runways in 1937, while proper runways, night flying facilities, hangars, etc. were provided in the following year.<ref>{{cite news |title=Juhu Improvements |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1937/1937%20-%202980.html |work=[[Flight Global]] |date=28 October 1937 |access-date=17 September 2011 }}</ref> At least two airlines were based out of Juhu during this period; [[Air Services of India]], Ltd. and Tata Sons, Ltd.<ref>{{cite news |title=Airline Companies of the World |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1939/1939%20-%201264.html |work=[[Flight Global]] |date=27 April 1939 |access-date=17 September 2011 }}</ref> The airport served as the city's sole airport till Santacruz Airport, now Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA), was built in 1948.<ref name = "IE1">{{cite news |title=On a high |url=http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=240391 |newspaper=[[Indian Express]] |date=2007-06-10 |access-date=2011-01-22 }}{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=WW II ghost over land near Sahar|url=http://www.mid-day.com/news/2011/mar/210311-Air-Cargo-Complex-World-War-II-MIAL-British-Raj-Sahar.htm|access-date=28 March 2011|newspaper=[[Mid-Day]]|date=21 March 2011}}</ref> Santacruz Airport is within a 2 km radius of Juhu Aerodrome and this proximity of the two airports often caused confusion among pilots, leading to a permanent [[NOTAM|notice to airmen]] being issued by the Airports Authority of India cautioning that Santacruz's runway 09/27 should not be confused with runway 08/26 at Juhu.<ref>{{cite news|title=Disaster takes a stroll on our runways|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/Storyold/91052/|access-date=11 February 2012|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|date=12 April 1999}}</ref> Juhu Aerodrome continued to be used however, such as by then [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Jawaharlal Nehru]] in 1948<ref name=swojn>{{cite book|last=Nehru|first=Jawaharlal|title=Selected works of Jawaharlal Nehru, Volume 6|year=1989|publisher=Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund|pages=7, 8}}</ref> as well as by the ailing [[Vallabhbhai Patel]] (then [[Deputy Prime Minister of India|Deputy Prime Minister]]) who landed at Juhu in December 1950 to avoid large crowds that had gathered at Santacruz Airport to greet him.<ref name=svp>{{cite book|last=Panjabi|first=Kewalram Lalchand|title=The indomitable Sardar: a political biography of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel|year=1962|publisher=Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan|page=194}}</ref>

With air traffic congestion reaching an unacceptable threshold in Mumbai, the AAI put its age-old plan of reviving the Juhu Airport on the fast track to ease some pressure off of [[Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport]] (CSIA) in 2010. The AAI appointed consulting major [[KPMG]] to draw up a development plan for Juhu Airport. It was envisioned that its airstrip could take up to 18% load off CSI Airport with turboprop [[ATR (aircraft manufacturer)|ATR]] and [[Boeing 737]] aircraft. The plan was to extend the runway to 2000 meters in phases, this would have ultimately seen the airstrip jutting into the sea and utilizing reclaimed parts of the Juhu Beach and seafront. Permission for the expansion was denied by the [[Ministry of Environment and Forests]] in 2010.<ref name = "MD">{{cite news|title=Juhu aerodrome to take load off airport? |url=http://www.mid-day.com/news/2010/jul/100710-DGCA-AAI-aircraft-Juhu-aerodrome-KPMG.htm |newspaper=[[Mid-Day]] |date= 2010-07-10|access-date=2011-01-23}}</ref><ref name = "HT2">{{cite news|title=Navi Mumbai airport gets ministry nod |url=http://www.livemint.com/2010/11/22231043/Navi-Mumbai-airport-gets-minis.html |publisher=LiveMint ([[Hindustan Times]]) |date= 2010-11-27|access-date=2011-01-23}}</ref> Instead, the ministry asked for conservation of the land around the airstrip, stating that no development should take place there and that it should be conserved as a green space to compensate for the pollution caused by the airstrip.<ref name="HTmoef">{{cite news | url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Ramesh-wants-380-acre-open-space-around-Juhu-heliport/Article1-666495.aspx | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125071237/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Ramesh-wants-380-acre-open-space-around-Juhu-heliport/Article1-666495.aspx | url-status=dead | archive-date=25 January 2013 | title=Ramesh wants 380-acre open space around Juhu heliport | access-date=7 March 2011 | date=24 February 2011 | newspaper=Hindustan Times }}</ref>

With the New CRZ rules of 2011 permitting roads on stilts in CRZ-I areas (within 100 metres of the shoreline), the AAI decided in January 2012 to pursue its plan to extend the existing runway westwards from the current 1,143 metres to 2,020 metres by building it on stilts over the Juhu-Tara Road and into the sea, involving a capital cost of {{INR}}2,000 crore.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/aai-looking-to-extend-juhu-airport-runway-on-stilts-15399 | title=AAI looking to extend Juhu airport runway on stilts | access-date=14 January 2012 | date=13 January 2012 | publisher=Travel Biz Monitor}}</ref>

== Challenges to airport expansion ==
As part of the Rs 2,000 crore plan, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) wants to extend the main runway 650 metres into the sea while also realigning it to CSIA's Runway 09/27.
The extension will allow aircraft like ATRs and Bombardier Q-400 to use the airport, while the re-alignment of the runway is required to allow for simultaneous operations of the two airports.

The Juhu airport redevelopment plan, that received an in-principle nod from the State Government on 5 April 2013,<ref name = "TOI2">{{cite news|title=Experts: Juhu airport revamp model unsafe |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-04-07/mumbai/38345705_1_main-runway-secondary-runway-juhu-aerodrome|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130410132909/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-04-07/mumbai/38345705_1_main-runway-secondary-runway-juhu-aerodrome|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 April 2013|newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |date= 7 April 2013|access-date=10 May 2013}}</ref> involves closing down its secondary runway 16/34. Aviation experts have called the re-development blueprint most unsafe as closing of the secondary runway at Juhu would mean the airport would have to shut operations whenever CSIA uses its secondary runway 14/32. The use of Juhu's main runway, while CSIA's secondary runway is in use, will cause aircraft paths to intersect risking air safety. Airlines would be averse to operating from an airport which would either violate safety norms or be shut almost 40% of the time.

Another technical problem facing the project is that the current runway is at an elevation of only four metres above the mean sea level. An extension of the runway into the sea would mean having to account for the sea level during high tide. Experts say the elevation of the main runway to about 12 metres above sea level would require the elevation of the entire airport, leading to flooding in the neighbourhood in the monsoons.<ref name = "TOI2"/>

The plan has also met with stiff opposition from local residents, who fear that the [[Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation|BMC]]'s forty-year-old Development Plan (DP) that envisaged sports facilities, a recreation ground and two arterial roads would be shelved to accommodate the new airport. The re-aligned runway would also end less than a 100 metres from the gate of the 500-bed Nanavati Hospital disturbing patients. The extension of the runway is likely to divide the Iconic [[Juhu Beach]] that is visited by more than 10,000 tourists daily.<ref name = "TOI3">{{cite news|title=Juhu residents mull PIL against airport plans |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-04-17/mumbai/38615267_1_airport-runway-airport-land-juhu-airport|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130629124341/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-04-17/mumbai/38615267_1_airport-runway-airport-land-juhu-airport|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 June 2013|newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |date= 17 April 2013|access-date=10 May 2013}}</ref> The realignment will also require demolition of prime property in JVPD scheme and Vile Parle as some buildings are in conflict with the proposed realignment while other tall structures that will be an obstacle in the approach path will have to be lowered to one or two floors.<ref name = "TOI2"/>

==Current status==
* Juhu has two operational runways and is run by the Airports Authority of India. It is used as a [[heliport]] for private charters and to ferry [[Oil and Natural Gas Corporation]] personnel by carrier [[Pawan Hans]] to offshore oil rigs at [[Bombay High]].<ref name=IE1 /> Jal Hans, India's first seaplane service was launched at the Juhu Aerodrome in December 2010.<ref name=et2010>{{cite news|title=First Indian seaplane service takes off|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2010-12-28/news/27631265_1_seaplane-nicobar-islands-port-blair|access-date=28 March 2011|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|date=28 December 2010}}</ref>
* Juhu Aerodrome handles all helicopter operations, including private helicopter charters out of Mumbai. Due to congestion at the CSI Airport, in December 2010 all helicopter were moved to Juhu.<ref name = "IE2">{{cite news|title=Come Jan 10, small aircraft to fly from Juhu |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Come-Jan-10--small-aircraft-to-fly-from-Juhu/724394/ |newspaper=[[Indian Express]] |date= 2010-12-14|access-date=2011-01-22}}</ref> The aerodrome can handle 6 helicopter operations at a time and currently handles about 100 helicopter operations a day.<ref name = "MSNI">{{cite news |title=150 CISF personnel to guard Juhu Airport |url=http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4767823 |publisher=[[MSN News]] |date=2011-01-05 |access-date=2011-01-22 }}{{Dead link|date=November 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* There is currently a plan to move all small private aircraft such as [[Beechcraft]] [[Beechcraft Super King Air|B-200]] and [[Cessna]] C-90 operations from CSI Airport to Juhu Aerodrome to decongest CSI Airport.<ref name="IE2"/> This was to take place by 10 January 2011,<ref name="IE1"/> However, due to lack of infrastructure and security considerations, this has been delayed. As part of this move, the aerodrome is currently being upgraded to Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) from the current Visual Flight Rules (VFR).
* Currently the air controllers at CSI Airport have to align aircraft to the Juhu flight path using their radar before they hand over the aircraft to Juhu. The airport is also being fitted with a Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) to facilitate night landing facilities that have been demanded by helicopter operators.
* There is also a plan to align runway 08/26 with runway 09/27 of CSI Airport to facilitate independent operations. While a new terminal building is being built to handle passenger movement, it currently only has a VIP terminal for private charter movements. There are also plans to extend the runway pending permissions.<ref name = "IE3">{{cite news|title=Juhu airport to the rescue again, this time with parking bays for small aircraft |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/juhu-airport-to-the-rescue-again-this-time-with-parking-bays-for-small-aircraft/725983/2 |newspaper=[[Indian Express]] |date= 2010-12-17|access-date=2011-01-22}}</ref><ref name = "IE4">{{cite news|title=Runway 'overlap' delays shift to Juhu |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Runway--overlap--delays-shift-to-Juhu/735954 |newspaper=[[Indian Express]] |date= 2011-01-11|access-date=2011-01-22}}</ref><ref name="HT">{{cite news |title=Plan to divert pvt planes to Juhu deferred |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Plan-to-divert-pvt-planes-to-Juhu-deferred/Article1-648808.aspx |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125092852/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Plan-to-divert-pvt-planes-to-Juhu-deferred/Article1-648808.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-01-25 |newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=2011-01-11 |access-date=2011-01-22 }}</ref>
*The airport is currently being guarded by the Maharashtra [[Home Guard (India)|Home Guard]] who will soon hand over charge to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) that handles security for all major airports in India. A contingent of 174 personnel has been sanctioned for Juhu aerodrome with CISF infrastructure being accommodated in a renovated hangar. The CISF personnel will be armed with AK-47s and INSAS rifles.
*It will also have a vehicle-borne Quick Reaction Team (QRT). A perimeter wall is being built around the premises as well.<ref name="MSNI"/><ref name = "IE5">{{cite news|title=Stage is set for CISF to take over Juhu airport |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/stage-is-set-for-cisf-to-take-over-juhu-airport/734326/ |newspaper=[[Indian Express]] |date= 2011-01-07|access-date=2011-01-22}}</ref> The CISF personnel have however refused to take charge of the Airport security until a periphery wall is built.

==Accidents and incidents==
* On 15 July 1953, a [[British Overseas Airways Corporation|BOAC]] [[de Havilland Comet|DH.106 Comet]] landed at Juhu Aerodrome instead of the much larger [[Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport|Santacruz Airport]]. The aircraft was flown out some nine days later.<ref name=Wrong>{{cite web|url=http://www.thirdamendment.com/wrongway.html |title=The Legacy of Douglas Corrigan: "Wrong Way" Landings By Commercial Airliners |publisher=Third Amendment |access-date=25 December 2009}}</ref>
* On 24 September 1972, a [[Japan Airlines]] operated [[Douglas DC-8]] accidentally [[Japan Airlines Flight 472 (1972)|landed at Juhu Aerodrome instead of Santacruz Airport]]. The aircraft overran the end of the runway and was damaged beyond economic repair.<ref name=ASN240972>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19720924-1 |title=Accident description |website=Aviation Safety Network |access-date=25 December 2009}}</ref><ref name = "IE6">{{cite news|title=Rs 200-cr plan for Juhu aerodrome, more if tunnel built |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/rs-200cr-plan-for-juhu-aerodrome-more-if-tunnel-built/575786/2 |newspaper=[[Indian Express]] |date= 2010-02-05|access-date=2011-01-23}}</ref>
* On 13 October 2006, a private five seater [[Beechcraft Baron#Baron 55|Beechcraft B 55]] aircraft owned by Container Movement Transport Pvt. Ltd. crash landed at the Juhu aerodrome after experiencing engine trouble and losing radio communications. The aircraft, on its way to [[Vadodara]], returned to Mumbai, from where it had taken off, and was badly damaged as it caught fire on landing. All passengers escaped safely and there were no casualties.<ref name = "TOI2006">{{cite news|title=Plane crash-lands at Juhu airport in Mumbai |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-10-13/india/27802530_1_plane-crash-lands-juhu-airport-small-aircraft |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104192310/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-10-13/india/27802530_1_plane-crash-lands-juhu-airport-small-aircraft |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-11-04 |date= 2006-10-13|newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=2011-02-11}}</ref><ref name="HT2006">{{cite news |title=Pvt plane crashes while landing at Juhu Aerodrome |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Pvt-plane-crashes-while-landing-at-Juhu-Aerodrome/Article1-160817.aspx |newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=2006-10-13 |access-date=2011-02-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629213744/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Pvt-plane-crashes-while-landing-at-Juhu-Aerodrome/Article1-160817.aspx |archive-date=2011-06-29 }}</ref>
* On 28 Jun 2018- A UV Aviation [[Beechcraft King Air|Beechcraft King Air C90]] [[2018 UY Aviation King Air C90 crash|crashed]] near Sarvodaya, Ghatkopar in the Mumbai Suburban district during a test flight. Five people which included two pilots, two maintenance crew members and one passer-by were killed in the incident.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/mumbai-chartered-aircraft-crashes-in-ghatkopar-5237053/|title=Mumbai plane crash: Chartered aircraft crashes in Ghatkopar, five dead; black box recovered|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2018-06-29|language=en-US}}</ref> Further investigation showed that the aircraft did not have the Certificate of Airworthiness.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/mumbai-plane-crash-aircraft-did-not-have-a-certificate-of-airworthiness/articleshow/64786107.cms|title=Mumbai plane crash: Aircraft did not have a certificate of airworthiness - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-06-29}}</ref>

==Culture and media==
The aerodrome was used for the opening scene of [[Slumdog Millionaire]] and can be seen in subsequent scenes as well.<ref name=ht.net>{{cite web|title=Slumdog Millionaire, India's Oscar Nod|url=http://www.hollywoodtoday.net/2009/02/22/slumdog-millionaire-indias-oscar-nod/|publisher=Hollywoodtoday.net|access-date=17 September 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226225835/http://www.hollywoodtoday.net/2009/02/22/slumdog-millionaire-indias-oscar-nod/|archive-date=26 February 2009}}</ref><ref name=lm1>{{cite news|title=The slumdog story|url=http://www.livemint.com/2009/01/22214847/The-slumdog-story.html|access-date=16 December 2011|newspaper=Livemint.com|date=23 January 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=100 years of Bollywood: Movie magic in Mumbai|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/asia/100-years-of-bollywood-movie-magic-in-mumbai-8858736.html|access-date=8 October 2013|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|date=5 October 2013}}</ref> Part of the climax of the 2008 film [[A Wednesday]] was shot here. The aerodrome was referred to as ''Juhu Aviation Base'' in this particular film.<ref name=starbox>{{cite web|title=A Wednesday|url=http://www.starboxoffice.com/movie/share/printpage.aspx?bid=2008/August/reviews_20080825_13|publisher=Starboxoffice.com|access-date=26 March 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401054729/http://www.starboxoffice.com/movie/share/printpage.aspx?bid=2008%2FAugust%2Freviews_20080825_13|archive-date=1 April 2012}}</ref> The climax of [[Hindustan Ki Kasam (1999 film)|Hindustan Ki Kasam]] was also shot here in 1999.<ref>{{cite news|title=On Location/Hindustan Ki Kasam|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/Storyold/93508/|access-date=16 December 2011|newspaper=[[Indian Express]]|date=23 April 1999}}</ref> A scene from movie Zameen starring Ajay Devgn and Abhishek Bachchan also shot here. Movie Sab Se Bada Khaliadi starring Akshay Kumar was also shot on Juhu Airport. Mostly all climax scenes were shot here.

==References==
{{Air Force Historical Research Agency}}
{{Reflist}}
*[http://www.airportsindia.org.in/allAirports/juhu.jsp Juhu Aerodrome] at Airports Authority of India

==External links==
{{Portal|Aviation|World War II}}
*{{GCM|VAJJ|VAJJ - Mumbai, India (Juhu Aerodrome)|source=[[DAFIF]]}}

{{Airports in India}}

[[Category:Airports in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Airports in Mumbai]]
[[Category:1928 establishments in India]]
[[Category:Airports established in 1928]]
[[Category:Transport in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces Air Transport Command in the China-Burma-India Theater]]
[[Category:Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces in British India]]

Juhu Aerodrome

2022-12-16T19:40:43Z

2600:1700:5390:4560:D43A:CFF2:CAA9:8AF1:

{{Short description|Aerodrome in Mumbai, India. First airfield in India}}
{{Redirect|VAJJ|the euphemism used in ''Grey's Anatomy''|Vajayjay}}
{{Coord|19|05|53|N|72|50|02|E|type:airport|display=title}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox airport
| name = Juhu Aerodrome
| image = Juhu Aerodrome.jpg
| image-width = 220px
| IATA =
| ICAO = VAJJ
| pushpin_map = Mumbai
| type = Public
| owner =
| operator = [[Airports Authority of India]]
| city-served = [[Mumbai]] since 1928
| location = [[Juhu]], [[Maharashtra]], [[India]]
| hub =
*[[Pawan Hans]]
| elevation-f = 13
| elevation-m = 4
| website =
| r1-number = 08/26
| r1-length-f = 3,750
| r1-length-m = 1,143
| r1-surface = Paved
| r2-number = 16/34
| r2-length-f = 2,400
| r2-length-m = 731
| r2-surface = Paved
| footnotes =
}}
'''Juhu Aerodrome''' {{Airport codes||VAJJ}} is located in [[Juhu]], an upmarket residential [[suburb]] of [[Mumbai]], [[India]]. It is used by small [[General Aviation]] aircraft and helicopters.<ref name="book76647674">{{cite book | author=Volume 7 | title=Asian and Indian skyways | year=1953 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zhs-AQAAIAAJ |access-date=20 February 2022}} Page 52</ref> It was founded in 1928 as India's first civil aviation airport,<ref name=rediff07>{{cite news|title=Juhu airstrip to get a facelift|url=http://inhome.rediff.com/money/2007/oct/13juhu.htm|access-date=10 February 2012|newspaper=[[Rediff.com]]|date=13 October 2022}}</ref> In 1932, [[JRD Tata]] landed at the Juhu Aerodrome, inaugurating India's first scheduled commercial mail service. Juhu served as the city's primary airport during and up to [[World War II]]. In 1948, commercial operations were moved to the much larger [[RAF Santacruz]] (now [[Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport]]; CSIA) which was built 2 km east of Juhu aerodrome during the war.

Today, the aerodrome handles all helicopter operations out of Mumbai. It also hosts the [[Bombay Flying Club]] and several executive and light aircraft and [[Glider (sailplane)|gliders]]. In 2010, the [[Airports Authority of India]] (AAI), which runs the airport, proposed to extend the runway 08/26 into the sea to allow larger aircraft to land, however permission for this was denied by the [[Ministry of Environment and Forests (India)|Ministry of Environment and Forests]]. With the New Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules of 2011 permitting roads on stilts, the Airports Authority of India announced in January 2012 that it would once again pursue its plan of extending the runway at Juhu Aerodrome into the sea.<ref>At Juhu aerodrome VHF (very high frequency) communication exists at 124.35 MHz.</ref>

==History==
The aerodrome started off as an unpaved airfield in 1928. It was used by the then newly established Bombay Flying Club for teaching, joy-rides, and air travel. The activities of the club were limited by the fact that the aerodrome at Juhu was not suitable during the monsoon. Much progress had been made in the layout of the ground of the aerodrome by 1932, although the ground was still not fit for use during that year's monsoon.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bombay Aerodrome at Juhu |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1932/1932%20-%200843.html |work=[[Flight Global]] |date=19 August 1932 |access-date=16 September 2011 }}</ref> [[J. R. D. Tata]], the father of civil aviation in India, made his maiden voyage to Juhu Airport from [[Drigh Road Airstrip]] in [[Karachi]], via [[Ahmedabad]], on 15 October 1932 carrying mail in a [[de Havilland Puss Moth|Puss Moth]] aircraft.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Tata Airmail Service |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1933/1933%20-%200531.html |work=[[Flight Global]] |date=14 September 1933 |access-date=16 September 2011 }}</ref>
The Tata Airmail Service, as it was called, continued on to Pune, Bellary, and Madras.<ref>{{cite news |title=When air mail came to Madras |url=http://madrasmusings.com/Vol%2020%20No%2014/when-air-mail-came-to-madras.html |work= Madras musings | date=1–15 November 2010 |access-date=16 September 2011 }}</ref> This was the birth of [[Air India]], which, in 1932, was based here out of a hut with a palm-thatched roof and had 1 pilot and 2 apprentice mechanics with 2-piston-engined aircraft, a [[de Havilland Puss Moth|Puss Moth]] and a [[de Havilland Leopard Moth|Leopard Moth]].<ref name="isbn8120724828">{{cite book |author1=Pran Nath Seth |author2=Pran Nath Seth |author3=Sushma Seth Bhat | title=An introduction to travel and tourism | publisher=Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd| year=2005 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AcGn-Fmc43sC&pg=PA112|page=112 | isbn=978-81-207-2482-2 }}</ref><ref name="isbn8120813227">{{cite book | author=Bepin Behari | title=Astrological Biographies: Seventeen Examples of Predictive Insights | publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ. | year=1996 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vI_OINmOtDYC| isbn=978-81-208-1322-9 | page= 341}}</ref> Two bitumen runways - one aligned East - West, and the others North-Northwest - South-Southeast, were laid in 1936. During the monsoons, operations had to be shifted to [[Pune|Poona]] due to water logging. A third runway was planned for construction in 1939 but this never occurred. It served as the city's airport up to and during [[World War II]].<ref name=aotw>{{cite book | last=Stroud | first=John | title=Airports of the world: Putnam Aeronautical Books | year=1980 | publisher=Putnam | isbn=0-370-30037-8 | page=161}}</ref>

[[File:Juhu aerodrome composite.jpg|thumb|left|Runway 08/26, pointing towards the [[Arabian Sea]]]]
Waterlogging during the monsoon and the absence of proper runways for monsoon take-offs were serious drawbacks for Juhu aerodrome. The former problem was addressed by replacement of the bitumen runways with concrete runways in 1937, while proper runways, night flying facilities, hangars, etc. were provided in the following year.<ref>{{cite news |title=Juhu Improvements |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1937/1937%20-%202980.html |work=[[Flight Global]] |date=28 October 1937 |access-date=17 September 2011 }}</ref> At least two airlines were based out of Juhu during this period; [[Air Services of India]], Ltd. and Tata Sons, Ltd.<ref>{{cite news |title=Airline Companies of the World |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1939/1939%20-%201264.html |work=[[Flight Global]] |date=27 April 1939 |access-date=17 September 2011 }}</ref> The airport served as the city's sole airport till Santacruz Airport, now Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA), was built in 1948.<ref name = "IE1">{{cite news |title=On a high |url=http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=240391 |newspaper=[[Indian Express]] |date=2007-06-10 |access-date=2011-01-22 }}{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=WW II ghost over land near Sahar|url=http://www.mid-day.com/news/2011/mar/210311-Air-Cargo-Complex-World-War-II-MIAL-British-Raj-Sahar.htm|access-date=28 March 2011|newspaper=[[Mid-Day]]|date=21 March 2022}}</ref> Santacruz Airport is within a 2 km radius of Juhu Aerodrome and this proximity of the two airports often caused confusion among pilots, leading to a permanent [[NOTAM|notice to airmen]] being issued by the Airports Authority of India cautioning that Santacruz's runway 09/27 should not be confused with runway 08/26 at Juhu.<ref>{{cite news|title=Disaster takes a stroll on our runways|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/Storyold/91052/|access-date=11 February 2012|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|date=12 April 1999}}</ref> Juhu Aerodrome continued to be used however, such as by then [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Jawaharlal Nehru]] in 1948<ref name=swojn>{{cite book|last=Nehru|first=Jawaharlal|title=Selected works of Jawaharlal Nehru, Volume 6|year=1989|publisher=Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund|pages=7, 8}}</ref> as well as by the ailing [[Vallabhbhai Patel]] (then [[Deputy Prime Minister of India|Deputy Prime Minister]]) who landed at Juhu in December 1950 to avoid large crowds that had gathered at Santacruz Airport to greet him.<ref name=svp>{{cite book|last=Panjabi|first=Kewalram Lalchand|title=The indomitable Sardar: a political biography of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel|year=1962|publisher=Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan|page=194}}</ref>

With air traffic congestion reaching an unacceptable threshold in Mumbai, the AAI put its age-old plan of reviving the Juhu Airport on the fast track to ease some pressure off of [[Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport]] (CSIA) in 2010. The AAI appointed consulting major [[KPMG]] to draw up a development plan for Juhu Airport. It was envisioned that its airstrip could take up to 18% load off CSI Airport with turboprop [[ATR (aircraft manufacturer)|ATR]] and [[Boeing 737]] aircraft. The plan was to extend the runway to 2000 meters in phases, this would have ultimately seen the airstrip jutting into the sea and utilizing reclaimed parts of the Juhu Beach and seafront. Permission for the expansion was denied by the [[Ministry of Environment and Forests]] in 2010.<ref name = "MD">{{cite news|title=Juhu aerodrome to take load off airport? |url=http://www.mid-day.com/news/2010/jul/100710-DGCA-AAI-aircraft-Juhu-aerodrome-KPMG.htm |newspaper=[[Mid-Day]] |date= 2010-07-10|access-date=2011-01-23}}</ref><ref name = "HT2">{{cite news|title=Navi Mumbai airport gets ministry nod |url=http://www.livemint.com/2010/11/22231043/Navi-Mumbai-airport-gets-minis.html |publisher=LiveMint ([[Hindustan Times]]) |date= 2010-11-27|access-date=2011-01-23}}</ref> Instead, the ministry asked for conservation of the land around the airstrip, stating that no development should take place there and that it should be conserved as a green space to compensate for the pollution caused by the airstrip.<ref name="HTmoef">{{cite news | url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Ramesh-wants-380-acre-open-space-around-Juhu-heliport/Article1-666495.aspx | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125071237/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Ramesh-wants-380-acre-open-space-around-Juhu-heliport/Article1-666495.aspx | url-status=dead | archive-date=25 January 2013 | title=Ramesh wants 380-acre open space around Juhu heliport | access-date=7 March 2011 | date=24 February 2011 | newspaper=Hindustan Times }}</ref>

With the New CRZ rules of 2011 permitting roads on stilts in CRZ-I areas (within 100 metres of the shoreline), the AAI decided in January 2012 to pursue its plan to extend the existing runway westwards from the current 1,143 metres to 2,020 metres by building it on stilts over the Juhu-Tara Road and into the sea, involving a capital cost of {{INR}}2,000 crore.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/aai-looking-to-extend-juhu-airport-runway-on-stilts-15399 | title=AAI looking to extend Juhu airport runway on stilts | access-date=14 January 2012 | date=13 January 2012 | publisher=Travel Biz Monitor}}</ref>

== Challenges to airport expansion ==
As part of the Rs 2,000 crore plan, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) wants to extend the main runway 650 metres into the sea while also realigning it to CSIA's Runway 09/27.
The extension will allow aircraft like ATRs and Bombardier Q-400 to use the airport, while the re-alignment of the runway is required to allow for simultaneous operations of the two airports.

The Juhu airport redevelopment plan, that received an in-principle nod from the State Government on 5 April 2013,<ref name = "TOI2">{{cite news|title=Experts: Juhu airport revamp model unsafe |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-04-07/mumbai/38345705_1_main-runway-secondary-runway-juhu-aerodrome|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130410132909/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-04-07/mumbai/38345705_1_main-runway-secondary-runway-juhu-aerodrome|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 April 2013|newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |date= 7 April 2013|access-date=10 May 2022}}</ref> involves closing down its secondary runway 16/34. Aviation experts have called the re-development blueprint most unsafe as closing of the secondary runway at Juhu would mean the airport would have to shut operations whenever CSIA uses its secondary runway 14/32. The use of Juhu's main runway, while CSIA's secondary runway is in use, will cause aircraft paths to intersect risking air safety. Airlines would be averse to operating from an airport which would either violate safety norms or be shut almost 40% of the time.

Another technical problem facing the project is that the current runway is at an elevation of only four metres above the mean sea level. An extension of the runway into the sea would mean having to account for the sea level during high tide. Experts say the elevation of the main runway to about 12 metres above sea level would require the elevation of the entire airport, leading to flooding in the neighbourhood in the monsoons.<ref name = "TOI2"/>

The plan has also met with stiff opposition from local residents, who fear that the [[Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation|BMC]]'s forty-year-old Development Plan (DP) that envisaged sports facilities, a recreation ground and two arterial roads would be shelved to accommodate the new airport. The re-aligned runway would also end less than a 100 metres from the gate of the 500-bed Nanavati Hospital disturbing patients. The extension of the runway is likely to divide the Iconic [[Juhu Beach]] that is visited by more than 10,000 tourists daily.<ref name = "TOI3">{{cite news|title=Juhu residents mull PIL against airport plans |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-04-17/mumbai/38615267_1_airport-runway-airport-land-juhu-airport|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130629124341/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-04-17/mumbai/38615267_1_airport-runway-airport-land-juhu-airport|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 June 2013|newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |date= 17 April 2013|access-date=10 May 2022}}</ref> The realignment will also require demolition of prime property in JVPD scheme and Vile Parle as some buildings are in conflict with the proposed realignment while other tall structures that will be an obstacle in the approach path will have to be lowered to one or two floors.<ref name = "TOI2"/>

==Current status==
* Juhu has two operational runways and is run by the Airports Authority of India. It is used as a [[heliport]] for private charters and to ferry [[Oil and Natural Gas Corporation]] personnel by carrier [[Pawan Hans]] to offshore oil rigs at [[Bombay High]].<ref name=IE1 /> Jal Hans, India's first seaplane service was launched at the Juhu Aerodrome in December 2010.<ref name=et2010>{{cite news|title=First Indian seaplane service takes off|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2010-12-28/news/27631265_1_seaplane-nicobar-islands-port-blair|access-date=28 March 2011|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|date=28 December 2022}}</ref>
* Juhu Aerodrome handles all helicopter operations, including private helicopter charters out of Mumbai. Due to congestion at the CSI Airport, in December 2010 all helicopter were moved to Juhu.<ref name = "IE2">{{cite news|title=Come Jan 10, small aircraft to fly from Juhu |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Come-Jan-10--small-aircraft-to-fly-from-Juhu/724394/ |newspaper=[[Indian Express]] |date= 2010-12-14|access-date=2011-01-22}}</ref> The aerodrome can handle 6 helicopter operations at a time and currently handles about 100 helicopter operations a day.<ref name = "MSNI">{{cite news |title=150 CISF personnel to guard Juhu Airport |url=http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4767823 |publisher=[[MSN News]] |date=2011-01-05 |access-date=2011-01-22 }}{{Dead link|date=November 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* There is currently a plan to move all small private aircraft such as [[Beechcraft]] [[Beechcraft Super King Air|B-200]] and [[Cessna]] C-90 operations from CSI Airport to Juhu Aerodrome to decongest CSI Airport.<ref name="IE2"/> This was to take place by 10 January 2011,<ref name="IE1"/> However, due to lack of infrastructure and security considerations, this has been delayed. As part of this move, the aerodrome is currently being upgraded to Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) from the current Visual Flight Rules (VFR).
* Currently the air controllers at CSI Airport have to align aircraft to the Juhu flight path using their radar before they hand over the aircraft to Juhu. The airport is also being fitted with a Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) to facilitate night landing facilities that have been demanded by helicopter operators.
* There is also a plan to align runway 08/26 with runway 09/27 of CSI Airport to facilitate independent operations. While a new terminal building is being built to handle passenger movement, it currently only has a VIP terminal for private charter movements. There are also plans to extend the runway pending permissions.<ref name = "IE3">{{cite news|title=Juhu airport to the rescue again, this time with parking bays for small aircraft |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/juhu-airport-to-the-rescue-again-this-time-with-parking-bays-for-small-aircraft/725983/2 |newspaper=[[Indian Express]] |date= 2010-12-17|access-date=2011-01-22}}</ref><ref name = "IE4">{{cite news|title=Runway 'overlap' delays shift to Juhu |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Runway--overlap--delays-shift-to-Juhu/735954 |newspaper=[[Indian Express]] |date= 2011-01-11|access-date=2011-01-22}}</ref><ref name="HT">{{cite news |title=Plan to divert pvt planes to Juhu deferred |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Plan-to-divert-pvt-planes-to-Juhu-deferred/Article1-648808.aspx |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125092852/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Plan-to-divert-pvt-planes-to-Juhu-deferred/Article1-648808.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-01-25 |newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=2011-01-11 |access-date=2011-01-22 }}</ref>
*The airport is currently being guarded by the Maharashtra [[Home Guard (India)|Home Guard]] who will soon hand over charge to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) that handles security for all major airports in India. A contingent of 174 personnel has been sanctioned for Juhu aerodrome with CISF infrastructure being accommodated in a renovated hangar. The CISF personnel will be armed with AK-47s and INSAS rifles.
*It will also have a vehicle-borne Quick Reaction Team (QRT). A perimeter wall is being built around the premises as well.<ref name="MSNI"/><ref name = "IE5">{{cite news|title=Stage is set for CISF to take over Juhu airport |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/stage-is-set-for-cisf-to-take-over-juhu-airport/734326/ |newspaper=[[Indian Express]] |date= 2011-01-07|access-date=2011-01-22}}</ref> The CISF personnel have however refused to take charge of the Airport security until a periphery wall is built.

==Accidents and incidents==
* On 15 July 1953, a [[British Overseas Airways Corporation|BOAC]] [[de Havilland Comet|DH.106 Comet]] landed at Juhu Aerodrome instead of the much larger [[Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport|Santacruz Airport]]. The aircraft was flown out some nine days later.<ref name=Wrong>{{cite web|url=http://www.thirdamendment.com/wrongway.html |title=The Legacy of Douglas Corrigan: "Wrong Way" Landings By Commercial Airliners |publisher=Third Amendment |access-date=25 December 2022}}</ref>
* On 24 September 1972, a [[Japan Airlines]] operated [[Douglas DC-8]] accidentally [[Japan Airlines Flight 472 (1972)|landed at Juhu Aerodrome instead of Santacruz Airport]]. The aircraft overran the end of the runway and was damaged beyond economic repair.<ref name=ASN240972>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19720924-1 |title=Accident description |website=Aviation Safety Network |access-date=25 December 2022}}</ref><ref name = "IE6">{{cite news|title=Rs 200-cr plan for Juhu aerodrome, more if tunnel built |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/rs-200cr-plan-for-juhu-aerodrome-more-if-tunnel-built/575786/2 |newspaper=[[Indian Express]] |date= 2010-02-05|access-date=2011-01-23}}</ref>
* On 13 October 2006, a private five seater [[Beechcraft Baron#Baron 55|Beechcraft B 55]] aircraft owned by Container Movement Transport Pvt. Ltd. crash landed at the Juhu aerodrome after experiencing engine trouble and losing radio communications. The aircraft, on its way to [[Vadodara]], returned to Mumbai, from where it had taken off, and was badly damaged as it caught fire on landing. All passengers escaped safely and there were no casualties.<ref name = "TOI2006">{{cite news|title=Plane crash-lands at Juhu airport in Mumbai |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-10-13/india/27802530_1_plane-crash-lands-juhu-airport-small-aircraft |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104192310/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-10-13/india/27802530_1_plane-crash-lands-juhu-airport-small-aircraft |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-11-04 |date= 2006-10-13|newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=2011-02-11}}</ref><ref name="HT2006">{{cite news |title=Pvt plane crashes while landing at Juhu Aerodrome |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Pvt-plane-crashes-while-landing-at-Juhu-Aerodrome/Article1-160817.aspx |newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=2006-10-13 |access-date=2011-02-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629213744/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Pvt-plane-crashes-while-landing-at-Juhu-Aerodrome/Article1-160817.aspx |archive-date=2011-06-29 }}</ref>
* On 28 Jun 2018- A UV Aviation [[Beechcraft King Air|Beechcraft King Air C90]] [[2018 UY Aviation King Air C90 crash|crashed]] near Sarvodaya, Ghatkopar in the Mumbai Suburban district during a test flight. Five people which included two pilots, two maintenance crew members and one passer-by were killed in the incident.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/mumbai-chartered-aircraft-crashes-in-ghatkopar-5237053/|title=Mumbai plane crash: Chartered aircraft crashes in Ghatkopar, five dead; black box recovered|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2018-06-29|language=en-US}}</ref> Further investigation showed that the aircraft did not have the Certificate of Airworthiness.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/mumbai-plane-crash-aircraft-did-not-have-a-certificate-of-airworthiness/articleshow/64786107.cms|title=Mumbai plane crash: Aircraft did not have a certificate of airworthiness - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-06-29}}</ref>

==Culture and media==
The aerodrome was used for the opening scene of [[Slumdog Millionaire]] and can be seen in subsequent scenes as well.<ref name=ht.net>{{cite web|title=Slumdog Millionaire, India's Oscar Nod|url=http://www.hollywoodtoday.net/2009/02/22/slumdog-millionaire-indias-oscar-nod/|publisher=Hollywoodtoday.net|access-date=17 September 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226225835/http://www.hollywoodtoday.net/2009/02/22/slumdog-millionaire-indias-oscar-nod/|archive-date=26 February 2022}}</ref><ref name=lm1>{{cite news|title=The slumdog story|url=http://www.livemint.com/2009/01/22214847/The-slumdog-story.html|access-date=16 December 2011|newspaper=Livemint.com|date=23 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=100 years of Bollywood: Movie magic in Mumbai|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/asia/100-years-of-bollywood-movie-magic-in-mumbai-8858736.html|access-date=8 October 2013|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|date=5 October 2022}}</ref> Part of the climax of the 2008 film [[A Wednesday]] was shot here. The aerodrome was referred to as ''Juhu Aviation Base'' in this particular film.<ref name=starbox>{{cite web|title=A Wednesday|url=http://www.starboxoffice.com/movie/share/printpage.aspx?bid=2008/August/reviews_20080825_13|publisher=Starboxoffice.com|access-date=26 March 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401054729/http://www.starboxoffice.com/movie/share/printpage.aspx?bid=2008%2FAugust%2Freviews_20080825_13|archive-date=1 April 2022}}</ref> The climax of [[Hindustan Ki Kasam (1999 film)|Hindustan Ki Kasam]] was also shot here in 1999.<ref>{{cite news|title=On Location/Hindustan Ki Kasam|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/Storyold/93508/|access-date=16 December 2011|newspaper=[[Indian Express]]|date=23 April 1999}}</ref> A scene from movie Zameen starring Ajay Devgn and Abhishek Bachchan also shot here. Movie Sab Se Bada Khaliadi starring Akshay Kumar was also shot on Juhu Airport. Mostly all climax scenes were shot here.

==References==
{{Air Force Historical Research Agency}}
{{Reflist}}
*[http://www.airportsindia.org.in/allAirports/juhu.jsp Juhu Aerodrome] at Airports Authority of India

==External links==
{{Portal|Aviation|World War II}}
*{{GCM|VAJJ|VAJJ - Mumbai, India (Juhu Aerodrome)|source=[[DAFIF]]}}

{{Airports in India}}

[[Category:Airports in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Airports in Mumbai]]
[[Category:1928 establishments in India]]
[[Category:Airports established in 1928]]
[[Category:Transport in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces Air Transport Command in the China-Burma-India Theater]]
[[Category:Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces in British India]]

Bihta Air Force Station

2022-12-15T07:09:21Z

2600:1700:5390:4560:D43A:CFF2:CAA9:8AF1: robot: Create/upgrade articles. If there is a mistake please report on my talk page.

{{Short description|Indian Air Force base in Bihar}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox airport
| name = Air Force Station, Bihta
| ensign = [[File:Roundel of India.svg|60px]]
| nativename =
| image = Bihta_airforce_station.jpg
| IATA =
| ICAO =
| pushpin_map = India Bihar#India
| pushpin_relief = 1
| pushpin_mapsize = 250
| pushpin_label = '''Bihta Air Force Station '''
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of airport in India
| type = Military
| owner =
| operator = [[Indian Air Force]]
| city-served =
| location = [[Bihta]]
| elevation-f = 194
| elevation-m = 59
| coordinates = {{coord|25|35|27|N|84|53|00|E|region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| website =
| metric-rwy = y
| r1-number = 10/28
| r1-length-m = 2,500
| r1-length-f = 8,202
| r1-surface = [[Asphalt]]
| stat-year =
| stat1-header =
| stat1-data =
| stat2-header =
| stat2-data =
| stat3-header =
| stat3-data =
| footnotes =
}}
The '''Bihta Air Force Station''' is an [[Indian Air Force]] (IAF) base in [[Bihta]], [[Bihar]], [[India]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Security-tightened-in-Bihta-air-force-base-after-ISI-threat/articleshow/16806206.cms | title=Security tightened in Bihta air force base after ISI threat | publisher=[[The Times of India]], Patna | work=Kumod Verma, TNN | date=23 July 2002 | access-date=27 April 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510184846/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Security-tightened-in-Bihta-air-force-base-after-ISI-threat/articleshow/16806206.cms | archive-date=10 May 2018 | url-status=live }}</ref> The military airfield, lies 40 kilometres southwest of state capital [[Patna]] and is spread over an area of around 900 acres.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150312/jsp/bihar/story_8089.jsp#.VQMdxEKGmcO | title=Land hurdle for Bihta take-off | publisher=[[The Telegraph (Calcutta)]] | date=12 March 2015 | access-date=13 March 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150312090024/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150312/jsp/bihar/story_8089.jsp#.VQMdxEKGmcO | archive-date=12 March 2015 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/centre-bihar-government-agree-to-resolve-patna-airport-upgrade-issues/articleshow/51986606.cms |title=Centre, Bihar government agree to resolve Patna Airport upgrade issues - the Economic Times |access-date=2016-04-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428132832/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/centre-bihar-government-agree-to-resolve-patna-airport-upgrade-issues/articleshow/51986606.cms |archive-date=2016-04-28 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Civilian Operations==
In 2016, the [[Airport Authority of India]] (AAI) proposed to develop a [[civil enclave]] at the Bihta airbase to serve as a second airport for Patna. The Indian Air Force gave its consent in April 2016 for commercial flight operations from Bihta as a medium-term measure for development air operations from Patna.<ref name="TTG">{{cite news | url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1160408/jsp/bihar/story_78931.jsp#.Vwi0KGOqR8O | work=[[The Telegraph (Calcutta)|The Telegraph]] | title=Bihta gets bigger wings | date=8 April 2016 | access-date=9 April 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411032943/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1160408/jsp/bihar/story_78931.jsp#.Vwi0KGOqR8O | archive-date=11 April 2016 | url-status=live }}</ref> The terminal building of the civil enclave will have the capacity to cater up to 2.5 million passengers per annum. It will be two-storied, with the ground floor for arrival and first floor for the departure of passengers.<ref name="TOI2">{{cite news | url= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/dpr-for-bihta-civil-enclave-likely-to-be-ready-next-week/articleshow/69434483.cms | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=DPR for Bihta civil enclave likely to be ready next week | date= 22 May 2019 | access-date=30 September 2022}}</ref> The Khagaul-Shivala-Bihta road, which will be broadened to four lanes, will connect the airport with the city. AAI had earlier estimated a requirement of 600 acres of land for the first Phase and another 790 acres for the second Phase in lieu of the existing [[Jay Prakash Narayan Airport|Jayprakash Narayan International Airport]] in Patna.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/government-press-release/aai-proposes-to-develop-airport-at-bihta-for-international-operations-115031001000_1.html | title=AAI Proposes to Develop Airport at Bihta for International Operations | publisher=[[Business Standard]] | date=10 March 2015 | access-date=13 March 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402151717/http://www.business-standard.com/article/government-press-release/aai-proposes-to-develop-airport-at-bihta-for-international-operations-115031001000_1.html | archive-date=2 April 2015 | url-status=live }}</ref>

In October 2016, Bihar cabinet approved the Patna master plan 2031 which envisaged development of a new airport at Bihta.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Cabinet-OKs-Patna-master-plan-paves-way-for-big-bulidings-new-airport/articleshow/55100844.cms |title=Home still a dream sans nod to map in Patna | ET RealEstate |website=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=2016-11-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807182141/http://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/residential/home-still-a-dream-sans-nod-to-map-in-patna/47294944 |archive-date=2016-08-07 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prabhatkhabar.com/news/patna/patna-master-plan-2031-metropolitan-committee-will-pass-the-map/885005.html|title=पटना मास्टर प्लान 2031 मेट्रोपोलिटन कमेटी नक्शा पास करेगी|access-date=2016-11-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104010315/http://www.prabhatkhabar.com/news/patna/patna-master-plan-2031-metropolitan-committee-will-pass-the-map/885005.html|archive-date=2016-11-04|url-status=live}}</ref> The Bihar government identified 126 acres of land at Vishambharpur and Kutlupur for construction of the civil enclave.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Land-identified-to-make-Bihta-airport-operational-for-flyers/articleshow/54513137.cms|title=Land identified to make Bihta airport operational for flyers|website=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=2016-11-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160929205528/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Land-identified-to-make-Bihta-airport-operational-for-flyers/articleshow/54513137.cms|archive-date=2016-09-29|url-status=live}}</ref> In November 2016, the Bihar cabinet approved a budget of {{INR}}260 crore for the acquisition of 126 acres of land for the project.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bihta-defence-airbase-patna-bihar-government-aai-jai-prakash-narayan-international-airport/1/811788.html |title=Patna to get second civil airport on city's outskirts in Bihta : India, News - India Today |access-date=2016-11-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161117071438/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bihta-defence-airbase-patna-bihar-government-aai-jai-prakash-narayan-international-airport/1/811788.html |archive-date=2016-11-17 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Flying-from-Bihta-to-be-less-expensive-than-Patna-AAI/articleshow/55463364.cms |title=Flying from Bihta to be less expensive than Patna: AAI - Times of India |website=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=2016-11-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121101221/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Flying-from-Bihta-to-be-less-expensive-than-Patna-AAI/articleshow/55463364.cms |archive-date=2016-11-21 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1161116/jsp/bihar/story_119435.jsp#.WCyhzdJ97IU |title=Airport gets bigger wingspan |access-date=2016-11-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116155055/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1161116/jsp/bihar/story_119435.jsp#.WCyhzdJ97IU |archive-date=2016-11-16 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The AAI and State Government approved the civil enclave design in July 2019, with construction expected to begin by the end of 2019. The first phase entails a two-stored building covering an area of 25,000 square metres. The civil enclave is expected to be ready by 2022 and will cost of over {{INR}}500 crores.
In the first phase, the terminal building will be equipped with five aerobridges and parking bays for five aircraft. In the next phase, the terminal area will be doubled to 50,000 square metres with five additional aerobridges and five additional parking bays.
Of the 126 acres of land acquired by the State Government near Bihta airbase, 108 acres will be used by AAI to build the civil enclave while the remaining 18 acres will be used by the State Government for development of amenities, including a VIP lounge, a hotel and a hangar.<ref>{{cite news | url= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/design-okayed-city-to-get-its-second-airport-by-2022/articleshow/70208937.cms | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=Design okayed; Patna to get its second airport by 2022 | date=14 July 2019 | access-date=30 September 2022}}</ref><ref name="TOI2"/>
Bihar government transferred 108-acre land to the AAI for Bihta civil enclave. The built-up area of the terminal building at Bihta would be approximately 50,000 sq metres. Over Rs 350 crore is estimated to be spent on the project. Once completed, Bihta airport will have the capacity to handle 2.5 million passengers per annum (MPA).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/dpr-for-bihta-civil-enclave-likely-to-be-ready-next-week/articleshow/69434483.cms|title=DPR for Bihta civil enclave likely to be ready next week | Patna News - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref>

Bihar government acquired 120 acres of land for construction of the new airport.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Patna-airport-to-be-spruced-up-for-Prakashotsava/articleshow/55915600.cms |title=Patna airport to be spruced up for Prakashotsava - Times of India |website=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=2016-12-17 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928090919/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Patna-airport-to-be-spruced-up-for-Prakashotsava/articleshow/55915600.cms |archive-date=28 September 2017 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Land-identified-to-make-Bihta-airport-operational-for-flyers/articleshow/54513137.cms|title=Land identified to make Bihta airport operational for flyers|website=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160929205528/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Land-identified-to-make-Bihta-airport-operational-for-flyers/articleshow/54513137.cms|archive-date=29 September 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Bihar cabinet approved a budget of Rs 260 crore for the acquisition of 126 acres for Bihta airport which was scheduled to be completed by October 2019.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bihta-defence-airbase-patna-bihar-government-aai-jai-prakash-narayan-international-airport/1/811788.html |title=Patna to get second civil airport on city's outskirts in Bihta : India, News - India Today |access-date=2016-11-16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161117071438/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bihta-defence-airbase-patna-bihar-government-aai-jai-prakash-narayan-international-airport/1/811788.html |archive-date=17 November 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Flying-from-Bihta-to-be-less-expensive-than-Patna-AAI/articleshow/55463364.cms |title=Flying from Bihta to be less expensive than Patna: AAI - Times of India |website=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=2016-11-16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121101221/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Flying-from-Bihta-to-be-less-expensive-than-Patna-AAI/articleshow/55463364.cms |archive-date=21 November 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1161116/jsp/bihar/story_119435.jsp#.WCyhzdJ97IU |title= Airport gets bigger wingspan|website=www.telegraphindia.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116155055/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1161116/jsp/bihar/story_119435.jsp |archive-date=16 November 2022}}</ref> Of the 126 acres - 99 acres in Vishambhar and 27 acres in Kultupur localities from around 400 land owners were acquired for the new airport.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/aai-to-get-airport-land-in-3-mths/articleshow/59582001.cms|title=AAI to get airport land in 3 mths|website=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928090854/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/aai-to-get-airport-land-in-3-mths/articleshow/59582001.cms|archive-date=28 September 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170714/jsp/bihar/story_161745.jsp|title=Satellite airport project rolls DM interacts with land owners over compensation issues|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818133956/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170714/jsp/bihar/story_161745.jsp|archive-date=18 August 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> An elevated expressway from Saguna Mor to Bihta is going to be constructed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/elevated-expressway-boost-for-bihta-airbase/articleshow/59611470.cms|title=Elevated expressway boost for Bihta airbase|website=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719073256/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/elevated-expressway-boost-for-bihta-airbase/articleshow/59611470.cms|archive-date=19 July 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Of the 120 acres of acquired land for Bihta Airport, 108 acres will be utilised for development of a civil enclave and the remaining 12 acres for development of amenities, including a VIP lounge, a hotel and a hangar.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/civil-enclave-land-wall-work-to-begin-next-week/articleshow/64670347.cms|title=Civil enclave land wall work to begin next week | Patna News - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref>

Airport Authority had proposed 156 acres of land to the state government, apart from 128 acres which state government is to transfer, so that length of the runway could be increased to 12000 feet,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/bihar/march-date-for-airport-revamp-firm-185347|title=March date for airport revamp firm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114202240/https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/bihar/march-date-for-airport-revamp-firm-185347|archive-date=14 November 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> in order to install advanced category-II Instrument Landing System (ILS) at new airport so that flights could land there at a visibility as low as 350 m.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/state-govt-unable-to-give-more-land-for-bihta-airbase-runway/articleshow/65506559.cms|title=Bihta airbase runway: Bihar government unable to give more land for Bihta airbase runway | Patna News - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref>

===Status===
* October 2016 - Bihar cabinet approved the Patna master plan 2031 which envisages development of a new airport at Bihta.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Cabinet-OKs-Patna-master-plan-paves-way-for-big-bulidings-new-airport/articleshow/55100844.cms |title=Home still a dream sans nod to map in Patna | ET RealEstate |website=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=2016-10-28 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807182141/http://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/residential/home-still-a-dream-sans-nod-to-map-in-patna/47294944 |archive-date=7 August 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prabhatkhabar.com/news/patna/patna-master-plan-2031-metropolitan-committee-will-pass-the-map/885005.html|title=पटना मास्टर प्लान 2031 मेट्रोपोलिटन कमेटी नक्शा पास करेगी|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104010315/http://www.prabhatkhabar.com/news/patna/patna-master-plan-2031-metropolitan-committee-will-pass-the-map/885005.html|archive-date=4 November 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
* November 2016 - Agreement reached between the Bihar government and the Union Civil Aviation Ministry to expand Bihar defence airbase.
* 31 December 2018 - [[Airports Authority of India]] shortlisted Synergy Company to design Bihta Airport terminal building.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/company-selected-to-design-bihta-terminal-building/articleshow/67328946.cms|title=Company selected to design Bihta terminal building | Patna News - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref>
* 3 June 2019 - Bihar Government approved a 20-km long four-lane Danapur-Shivala-Bihta elevated road at the cost of around Rs 2,000 crore.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/nitish-approves-alignment-of-rs-2000-crore-danapur-bihta-elevated-road/articleshow/69638951.cms|title=20-km long elevated road: Nitish approves alignment of Rs 2,000 crore Danapur-Bihta elevated road | Patna News - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref> This highway will be completed by 2022 and will connect Patna to the upcoming civil airport at Bihta via Danapur railway station and Shivala Chowk. Of total 20 km length, 17 km would be elevated. The elevated portion would terminate at the junction of the Bihta-Sarmera Road near Kanhauli village. From that junction, the road would go up to the Bihta Chowk besides connecting the Bihta Airport; it would again be elevated at the Bihta Chowk.

==See also==
*[[List of Indian Air Force bases]]
*Danapur-Bihta elevated road
{{clear}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Airports in India}}

{{authority control}}

{{Indian Air Force}}

[[Category:Airports in Bihar]]
[[Category:Patna district]]
[[Category:Indian Air Force bases]]
[[Category:Airports with year of establishment missing]]

Hindan Air Force Station

2022-12-15T06:43:01Z

2600:1700:5390:4560:D43A:CFF2:CAA9:8AF1:

{{Distinguish|Hindon Airport}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox airport
| name = Air Force Station Hindon [[File:Roundel of India.svg|40px]]
| nativename =
| nativename-a =
| nativename-r =
| image = Delhi and surroundings aerial photo 08-2016 img7.jpg
| image-width = 250
| caption = Aerial view of Hindon Air Base
| IATA =
| ICAO = VIDX
| type = Military ([[Indian Air Force]])
| owner =
| operator = [[Western Air Command]]
| city-served =
| location = [[Ghaziabad, India|Ghaziabad]], [[Uttar Pradesh]]
| metric-elev =
| elevation-m = 213.4
| elevation-f = 700
| coordinates = {{coord|28|42|28|N|77|21|30|E|type:airport_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_map = India Uttar Pradesh#India
| pushpin_mapsize =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption =
| pushpin_relief =
| pushpin_image =
| pushpin_label = Air Force Station Hindan
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_mark =
| pushpin_marksize =
| website =
| r1-number = 09/27
| r1-length-m = 2743
| r1-length-f = 9000
| r1-surface = [[Concrete]] / [[Asphalt]]
| r2-number =
| r2-length-m =
| r2-length-f =
| r2-surface =
| stat-year =
| stat1-header =
| stat1-data =
| stat2-header =
| stat2-data =
| footnotes = Sources:<ref>[http://www.airport-data.com/world-airports/VIDX/ Information of Hindan Air Force Base], airport-data.com, accessed 15 January 2011</ref><ref name="Wikimapia">[http://wikimapia.org/14737036/Hindan-Air-Station Hindan Air Station], [[Wikimapia]], accessed 15 January 2011</ref>
}}
'''Air Force Station Hindon''' ('''Hindon AFS''') (also Hindon) is an [[Indian Air Force]] [[airbase|base]] under the [[Western Air Command]] (WAC). It is the biggest and largest air base in Asia. Its area measured 14 km rounded and {{convert|55|km2}}. This base celebrates Air Force Day on 8 October. It is located near [[Loni, India|Loni]] [[Ghaziabad, India|Ghaziabad]] in the state of [[Uttar Pradesh]] in the [[National Capital Region (India)|National Capital Region]] on the outskirts of [[Delhi]], close to the Hinaon River.<ref name="df">{{cite web|url=http://www.pib.nic.in/release/rel_print_page1.asp?relid=20966|title=Air Force Day Fly Past an Appeal|date=26 September 2006|publisher=PIB, Ministry of Defence}}</ref> Starting 2006, the annual Air Force Day Parade venue was shifted from [[Palam Airport]] to Hindon.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Images/Special/Airshows/Hindan_001/|title=Air Force Day 2006 Rehearsal - Hindan AFS|date=October 2006|publisher=[[Bharat Rakshak]]}}{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> There is one runway, aligned east–west (09-27), of {{convert|9000|ft|m}} length x {{convert|150|ft|m}} width. The military airbase serves as the home of the [[Indian Air Force|IAF]] [[C-17 Globemaster]] and the IAF [[C-130J Super Hercules]], the backbone of Strategic Heavy Air Lift division of the [[Indian Air Force]]. The [[Airports Authority of India]] (AAI) operates a [[civil enclave]] at Hindon as part of the government's Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS).<ref name="HT2">{{cite news|title=Regional flights to 4 cities including Kannur and Hubli from Hindan airbase expected by October end |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/noida/regional-flights-to-4-cities-including-kannur-and-hubli-from-hindon-airbase-expected-by-october-end/story-yrydOBuyYGT9KXfR0UMFeI.html |date=5 July 2018 |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |access-date= 9 July 2022}}</ref>

==Units==
* [[No. 77 Squadron IAF|No. 77 Squadron]] ([[Lockheed C-130J Super Hercules]])
* [[No. 81 Squadron IAF|No. 81 Squadron]] ([[Boeing C-17 Globemaster III]])
* [[No. 129 Helicopter Unit, IAF|No. 129 Helicopter Unit]] ([[Mil Mi-17|Mil Mi-17IV]])
* [[No. 131 Helicopter Flight, IAF|No. 131 Helicopter flight]] ([[HAL Cheetah]])

==History==
Originally the base was home to a squadron each of [[MiG-23]]s and [[MiG-27]]s, both single-engine fighters.{{cn|date=September 2021}} After the 1965 war, [[No. 7 Squadron IAF]] moved to Hindon along with [[Hawker Hunter]]s, and stayed here till 1969, when it moved to [[Bagdogra]] in [[West Bengal]], subsequently during the [[East Pakistan Operations 1971]] it flew in on 6 December 1971.<ref>[http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/Sqn/007.html No.7 Squadron, Indian Air Force webpage] [[Bharat Rakshak]].</ref> Prior to the [[No. 3 Squadron, Indian Air Force|No. 3 Squadron]] moved here in July 1971 and was operating [[Dassault Mystère IV|Mystère IVA]]s at the time. After the war it moved back to Hindon, until it shifted base to [[Pathankot]] in 1975.<ref>[http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/Sqn/003.html No. 3 Squadron, Indian Air Force] ''[[Bharat Rakshak]]''</ref>

In the mid-1980s, it was identified by ornithologist Dr. [[Salim Ali]] among the 10 air bases in India prone to [[bird hit]]s, due to the presence of slaughterhouses and dumping grounds in its vicinity being close to the [[Ghaziabad, India|Ghaziabad]] industrial city. In the coming years, the number of accidents increased.

Finally in 1997, when three plane crashes occurred within a span of few days, Hindon was abandoned as a fighter base and remained home to [[Avro]]s and [[Mil Mi-17|Mi-17]] helicopters and transport aircraft in the following years, apart from being used by the IAF Aircrew Examination Board.

However, in 2003, with growing terrorist threats, its importance as a strategic air base to provide air cover to the capital was realised, as Hindon-based fighters could reach the skies over New Delhi within five minutes as compared to the 15-plus minutes it would take from other closest bases, namely [[Sirsa Air Force Station]], [[Ambala Air Force Base]] and [[Chandigarh Air Force Station]], and thus Hindon was reactivated and area around it was cleaned up.<ref name="re">{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2003/apr/16delhi1.htm|title=Renewed threat to Delhi forces rethink on Hindan air base|date=16 April 2003|publisher=[[Rediff]] News|access-date=17 January 2022}}</ref> September 2005, saw Air Chief Marshal [[S.P. Tyagi]] becoming the first Chief of Air Staff to earn para wings while in office, as he finished his fifth and final para jump at Air Force Station Hindon.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050929/nation.htm#18|title=Para wings for Chief of Air Staff|date=29 September 2005|work=The Tribune}}</ref>

In 2006, Indian Air Force shifted its 74th Anniversary celebration venue from [[Palam Airport]] in Delhi, to Hindon to avoid airspace closure for commercial traffic, where the Air Force Day Parade cum investiture ceremony was held on 8 October, and an air display by 66 aircraft.<ref name="df"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-10-08/india/27809791_1_mi-17-marshal-s-p-tyagi-air-force-day|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104115859/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-10-08/india/27809791_1_mi-17-marshal-s-p-tyagi-air-force-day|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 November 2012|work=[[The Times of India]]|title=Aerial display marks Air Force Day|date=8 October 2022}}</ref> This also gave the IAF aircraft more air space during the air show, till then was uses primarily as a helicopter base.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20061009/nation.htm#4|title=Scintillating show marks Air Force Day|date=9 October 2006|work=The Tribune}}</ref> After that it has become an annual event at the station.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/IAF-celebrates-Air-Force-day-in-style/articleshow/6711310.cms|title=IAF celebrates Air Force day in style|date=8 October 2010|work=The Times of India}}</ref>

On 1 June 2007, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal [[F.H. Major|F. H. Major]] flagged off a [[microlight]] expedition, part of the IAF's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, aiming to creating a record by completing the expedition, Around the World in 80 Days. Wing Commanders Rahul Monga and Anil Kumar reached Hindon back on 19 August, and covering 40,497 km in 80 days they achieved a speed of 21.092 km/h thus beating the previous record of 16.53 km/h set by Colin Bodil of the U.K. in 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/release/rel_print_page.asp?relid=30101|title=Indian Air Force’S pilots create a new world record IAF microlight expedition flies around the world in 80 days|date=19 August 2007|publisher=Ministry of Defence}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/20/stories/2007082052181500.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125062341/http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/20/stories/2007082052181500.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 January 2012|title=IAF pilots create record|date=20 August 2007|work=[[The Hindu]]|location=Chennai, India}}</ref> Although the FAI ( Fédération Aéronautique Internationale - world governing body for air sports, aeronautics and astronautics world records) has denied their claim as both the pilots and the Indian Air Force could not furnish any proof for such a feat.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/iaf-world-record-claim-falls-flat/274995/|title=iaf world claim falls flat|date=19 February 2008|newspaper=The Indian Express}}</ref>

In 2007, when the [[Airports Authority of India]] (AAI) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) launched a pilot project to test joint management of the airspace, Hindon was opened to civilian flights, though its open for flights only during stipulated hours of the day.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.livemint.com/2007/08/22015929/AAIair-force-pilot-plan-for-t.html|title=AAI-air force pilot plan for traffic management|date=22 August 2022}}</ref>

After the [[2008 Mumbai attacks|26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks]] IAF moved [[MiG-29]]s to the air base in order "to protect the capital from aerial threats."<ref name="expressbuzz.com">[http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=IAF+eye+on+flight+of+fancy&artid=igC112jaMSg=&SectionID=b7ziAYMenjw=&MainSectionID=b7ziAYMenjw=&SectionName=pWehHe7IsSU=&SEO=The%20Indian%20Air%20Force IAF closely monitoring Pakistan activity]{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Express Buzz (Indian Express), 25 December 2008.</ref>

Hindon was amongst nine airfields in the Western Air Command (WAC) for the Modernization of Air Field Infrastructure programme (MAFI), started in 2009. Due its proximity to the Delhi, work at the station which included equipping it with sensitive radars was to commence first. This work completed in 2011 when the first of six [[C-130J Hercules]] tactical transport aircraft arrived from the US. Hindon was designated to become home base for these aircraft and for this purpose, the Hindon runway was extended and modern hangars, servicing and operations facilities suitable for the C-130J aircraft were added.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mid-day.com/news/2009/may/220509-Hindan-Air-Force-station-airfield-transport-aircraft-Indian-Air-Force.htm|title=Hindan gets more airpower|date=2009-05-22|work=MiD DAY}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/iafs-first-c-130j-airlifter-to-arrive-this-week/articleshow/7297544.cms |title=IAF's first C-130J airlifter to arrive this week |date=16 January 2011 |work=The Economic Times|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120203306/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/iafs-first-c-130j-airlifter-to-arrive-this-week/articleshow/7297544.cms |archive-date=20 January 2011 }}</ref> Hindon currently hosts 18 C-130J's.

In June 2011, the IAF signed a contract with the USAF to purchase 10 [[Boeing C-17 Globemaster III]]'s. With the No. 81 Squadron bed down, the contract includes a dual-bay hangar, squadron operations facility, and other facilities and utilities to support aircraft operations. Deliveries began in June 2013 and are to continued through December 2014.<ref name=MOD_purchase>[http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=78432 "Purchase of Transport Aircraft."] ''pib.nic.in'', 12 December 2011. Retrieved: 2 August 2012.</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Boeing delivers third C-17 Globemaster military transport aircraft to Indian Air Force|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/boeing-delivers-third-c-17-globemaster-military-transport-aircraft-to-indian-air-force/articleshow/21995683.cms|access-date=23 August 2013|newspaper=The Economic Times|date=23 August 2022}}</ref>

===Historical use===
* [[No. 5 Squadron IAF]] – [[SEPECAT Jaguar|Jaguar]] IS/IB
* [[No. 14 Squadron IAF]] – Jaguar IS/IB
* [[No. 23 Squadron IAF]] – [[MiG-21]] bis<ref name="Wikimapia"/>
* [[No. 24 Squadron IAF]] – MiG-21 bis
The [[Garud Commando Force]] of the Indian Air Force are trained at this base.

==Civil Enclave==
{{Main|Hindon Airport}}
The [[Ministry of Civil Aviation (India)|Ministry of Civil Aviation]] proposed the idea of a [[civil enclave]] at Hindon, built and operated by the AAI,<ref name="HT2"/> because slot constraints at the [[Indira Gandhi International Airport]] prevented the operation of flights under the government's Regional Connectivity Scheme called [[UDAN]].<ref name="TOI2">{{cite news|title= DIAL gives nod to use of Hindon airbase for RCS flights |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/dial-gives-nod-to-use-of-hindon-airbase-for-rcs-flights/articleshow/60797140.cms |date=22 September 2017 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date= 10 October 2022}}</ref>
The Indian Air Force permitted the Civil Aviation ministry to use the air base for civil operations in August 2017.<ref name="HBL1">{{cite news|title= Air Force: Can open up Hindan for flights under regional scheme |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/air-force-can-open-up-hindon-for-flights-under-regional-scheme/article9836149.ece |date=30 August 2017 |work=[[The Hindu Business Line]] |access-date= 9 July 2022}}</ref>
Since the government has an agreement with the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), the operators of Delhi airport, prohibiting operations of another airport within a radius of 150 kilometres from Delhi airport, the MoCA negotiated with DIAL for permissions. DIAL gave approval in September 2017 for temporary civil operations from Hindon. When DIAL's on-going expansion of Delhi Airport is completed around September 2022,<ref>{{cite news|access-date=2018-10-11|title=You could board a flight from Gzb in Jan '19 - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/noida/you-could-board-a-flight-from-gzb-in-jan-19/articleshow/65956996.cms|newspaper=The Times of India}}</ref> all UDAN operations would revert to Delhi Airport.<ref name="TOI2"/>
The Uttar Pradesh government gave its approval for the project in March 2018.<ref name="HT1">{{cite news|title= Ghaziabad: Govt approves plan to operate regional flights from Hindan airbase |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/noida/ghaziabad-govt-approves-plan-to-operate-regional-flights-from-hindon-airbase/story-1Ab6FjOMLC9qMxEwSQxhjM.html |date=7 March 2018 |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |access-date= 9 July 2022}}</ref>

The enclave is built on 7.5 acres at Sikandarpur village in Sahibabad, adjacent the airbase.<ref name="TOI1">{{cite news|title= Land identified for civilian flights from Hindan IAF base in Ghaziabad |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ghaziabad/land-identified-for-civilian-flights-from-hindon-iaf-base-in-ghaziabad/articleshow/61842288.cms |date=29 November 2017 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date= 9 July 2022}}</ref> The terminal has a capacity of serving 300 passengers an hour. 45.2 crores is being used to build the new civil terminal. Air traffic control will be provided by the [[Indian Air Force]].<ref name="livemint.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/Industry/aXAaWrBbp4I8BrH9Wa5uNL/Delhi-to-get-second-airport-at-Hindon-by-February-next-year.html|title=Delhi to get second airport at Hindon by February next year|author=Staff Writer|date=4 December 2018|website=mint}}</ref>
It was inaugurated by prime minister Narendra Modi on 8 March 2019.<ref name="ET1">{{cite news|title= PM Narendra Modi inaugurates civil enclave at Hindon airport |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/pm-narendra-modi-inaugurates-civil-enclave-at-hindon-airport/articleshow/68322539.cms |date=8 March 2019 |work=[[The Economic Times]] |access-date= 10 October 2022}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Indian Air Force]]
* [[Ambala Air Force Station]]
* [[Sirsa Air Force Station]]
* [[Hisar Military Station]]
* [[Hisar Airport]]
* [[Karnal Airport]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [http://wikimapia.org/14737036/Hindan-Air-Station Hindon Air Station] at ''[[Wikimapia]]''
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/hindan.htm Hindon Air Base] at ''GlobalSecurity.org''
*[http://indianairforce.nic.in/expedition/expedition_voyage.php Round The Globe Expedition]

{{Airports in India}}
{{Indian Air Force}}

[[Category:Indian Air Force bases]]
[[Category:Ghaziabad district, India]]
[[Category:Transport in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Airports with year of establishment missing]]

Hindon Airport

2022-12-15T06:37:40Z

2600:1700:5390:4560:D43A:CFF2:CAA9:8AF1:

{{Short description|Domestic airport in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India}}
{{distinguish|Hindan Air Force Station}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox airport
| name = Hindon Airport
| nativename =
| nativename-a =
| nativename-r =
| image = Hindon Airport.jpg
| image-width = 250px
| caption =
| IATA = QAH <ref>flightradar24.com/airport/qah</ref>
| ICAO = VIDX
| type = Military/Public
| owner = [[Indian Air Force]]
| operator = [[Airport Authority of India]]
| city-served = [[National Capital Region (India)| National Capital Region]]
| location = [[Ghaziabad, India|Ghaziabad]], [[Uttar Pradesh]]
| metric-elev =
| elevation-m = 213.4
| elevation-f = 700
| coordinates = {{Coord|28.7057898|77.3421373|type:airport_region:IN-UP|display=inline,title}}
| website =
| pushpin_map = India Uttar Pradesh#India
| pushpin_mapsize = 250
| pushpin_map_caption =
| pushpin_label = '''QAH/VIDX'''
| pushpin_label_position = right
| r1-number = 09/27
| r1-length-m = 2743
| r1-length-f = 9000
| r1-surface = [[Concrete]] / [[asphalt]]
| stat-year = April 2021 - March 2022
| stat1-header = Passengers
| stat1-data = 27,794 {{increase}}
| stat2-header = Aircraft movements
| stat3-header =
| stat3-data =
| r2-number =
| r2-length-m =
| r2-length-f =
| r2-surface =
| stat2-data = 710 {{increase}}
| footnotes = Source: [[Airports Authority of India|AAI]]
}}

'''Hindon Airport''' {{Airport codes|QAH|VIDX}}, also spelled '''Hindan Airport''', is a [[civil enclave]] in [[Ghaziabad|Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh]], operated by the [[Airports Authority of India]] at [[Hindan Air Force Station|Hindon Air Force Station]] of the [[Indian Air Force]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/business/india-business/hindon-airport-in-ghaziabad-likely-be-operational-for-udan-flights-by-march/articleshow/67760287.cms |title=Hindon airport in Ghaziabad to be operational for UDAN flights by March - Times of India |publisher=M.timesofindia.com |date=2019-01-30 |access-date=2019-11-13}}</ref><ref name="HT2">{{cite news|title=Regional flights to 4 cities including Kannur and Hubli from Hindan airbase expected by October end |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/noida/regional-flights-to-4-cities-including-kannur-and-hubli-from-hindon-airbase-expected-by-october-end/story-yrydOBuyYGT9KXfR0UMFeI.html |date=5 July 2018 |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |access-date= 9 July 2022}}</ref> It is the second commercial airport in the [[National Capital Region (India)|Delhi NCR]] after [[Indira Gandhi International Airport]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/delhi-s-second-airport-to-operate-first-flight-from-tomorrow-11570689656434.html|title=Delhi's second airport to operate first flight from tomorrow|date=2019-10-10|website=[[livemint]]|access-date=2019-10-10}}</ref>
The airport was primarily built to handle flights operating under the Government's [[UDAN|regional connectivity scheme]] and hence reducing the burden of regional flights from Delhi's main airport. As of 2019, there are two airlines operating regional flights from the airport.{{cn|date=September 2021}}

==History==
[[File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurating the Hindon Airport Civil Terminal.JPG|thumb|left|Inauguration of the terminal on 8 March 2019 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi]]
In 2017, the [[Ministry of Civil Aviation (India)|Ministry of Civil Aviation]] pre-emptively took up the idea of a [[civil enclave]] at Hindon with the IAF<ref name="BS2">{{cite news|title= 'Hindon airbase to be used as second airport for RCS in Delhi' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/dial-gives-nod-to-use-of-hindon-airbase-for-rcs-flights/articleshow/60797140.cms |date=30 August 2017 |work=[[Business Standard]] |access-date= 10 October 2022}}</ref> because slot constraints at the [[Indira Gandhi International Airport]] prevented the operation of flights under the government's Regional Connectivity Scheme called [[UDAN]].<ref name="TOI2">{{cite news|title= DIAL gives nod to use of Hindon airbase for RCS flights |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/dial-gives-nod-to-use-of-hindon-airbase-for-rcs-flights/articleshow/60797140.cms |date=22 September 2017 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date= 10 October 2022}}</ref> The Hindon civil enclave would then become the second airport in the [[National Capital Region]] for flights operating under UDAN.
Commercial flight operations from an airport within 150 km of Delhi Airport were not allowed, according to an agreement signed between the government and Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL). Hence, the MoCA made a proposal, seeking clearance from DIAL for the temporary use of Hindon for flights awarded UDAN flights. DIAL approved the proposal in September 2017. When DIAL's on-going expansion of Delhi Airport is completed around September 2022,<ref name="indiatimes1">{{cite news|access-date=2018-10-11|title=You could board a flight from Gzb in Jan ’19 - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/noida/you-could-board-a-flight-from-gzb-in-jan-19/articleshow/65956996.cms|newspaper=The Times of India}}</ref> all UDAN operations would revert to Delhi Airport.<ref name="TOI2"/>
The Indian Air Force permitted the Civil Aviation ministry to use the air base for civil operations in August 2017.<ref name="HBL1">{{cite news|title= Air Force: Can open up Hindan for flights under regional scheme |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/air-force-can-open-up-hindon-for-flights-under-regional-scheme/article9836149.ece |date=30 August 2017 |work=[[The Hindu Business Line]] |access-date= 9 July 2022}}</ref>
The Uttar Pradesh government gave its approval for the project in March 2018.<ref name="HT1">{{cite news|title= Ghaziabad: Govt approves plan to operate regional flights from Hindan airbase |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/noida/ghaziabad-govt-approves-plan-to-operate-regional-flights-from-hindon-airbase/story-1Ab6FjOMLC9qMxEwSQxhjM.html |date=7 March 2018 |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |access-date= 9 July 2022}}</ref>
AAI began construction of the terminal in August 2018.<ref name="HTT2">{{cite news|title= Airport authority starts work on terminal facilities at Hindon airbase |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/noida/regional-flight-connectivity-scheme-airport-authority-starts-work-for-construction-of-terminal-facilities/story-6aupQGiz7NoDF6UvqQB8AN.html |date=21 August 2017 |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |access-date= 10 October 2022}}</ref> Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] inaugurated the passenger terminal built at a cost of {{INR}} 40 crores on 8 March 2019 just before model code of conduct.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/pm-narendra-modi-inaugurates-civil-enclave-at-hindon-airport/articleshow/68322539.cms |title=PM Narendra Modi inaugurates civil enclave at Hindon airport - The Economic Times |publisher=Economictimes.indiatimes.com |date=2019-03-08 |access-date=2019-11-13}}</ref>

The operations from Hindon were expected to begin from 15 March. However, discussions on slot timings with the Indian Air Force regarding slots took longer than expected and the date for commencement of flight operations was pushed back to the first half of October 2019.<ref name="ND2">{{cite news|title=Commercial Flights From Hindon Base Likely From Early October: Officials |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/commercial-flights-from-hindon-air-base-ghaziabad-likely-from-early-october-officials-2093226 |date=30 August 2017 |work=[[NDTV]] |access-date= 10 October 2022}}</ref>
The first commercial flight from the Hindon took off on 11 October 2019. A [[Beechcraft King Air]], operated by Heritage Aviation under the UDAN scheme, took off for [[Pithoragarh Airport]] with nine passengers on board.<ref name="MINT">{{cite news|title= Delhi's second airport begins operations|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/delhi-s-second-airport-first-commercial-flight-operation-starts-today-11570770614277.html |date=11 October 2019 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date= 11 October 2022}}</ref>
In May 2019, it was reported that the state government and AAI were considering making the airport permanent.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ghaziabad/temporary-hindon-civilian-airport-to-turn-permanent/articleshow/69225491.cms |title=‘Temporary’ Hindon civilian airport to turn permanent? | Ghaziabad News - Times of India |publisher=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date=2019-05-08 |access-date=2019-11-13}}</ref>

== Structure ==
The enclave has been built on 7.5 acres at Sikandarpur village in Sahibabad, adjacent the airbase.<ref name="TOI1">{{cite news|title= Land identified for civilian flights from Hindan IAF base in Ghaziabad |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ghaziabad/land-identified-for-civilian-flights-from-hindon-iaf-base-in-ghaziabad/articleshow/61842288.cms |date=29 November 2017 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date= 9 July 2022}}</ref> The terminal building is a pre-engineered, air-conditioned structure with eight check-in counters. The terminal covers an area of 5,425 square metres and has a capacity of serving 300 passengers an hour. The car park can accommodate 90 cars.<ref name="TFE">{{cite news|title= Hindon Airport begins operation |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/infrastructure/airlines-aviation/hindon-airport-begins-operation-check-location-flight-schedule-key-details-of-delhi-ncrs-2nd-airport/1732661/ |date=11 October 2019 |work=[[The Financial Express (India)| Financial Express]] |access-date= 11 October 2022}}</ref>
Air traffic control will be provided by the [[Indian Air Force]].<ref name="livemint.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/Industry/aXAaWrBbp4I8BrH9Wa5uNL/Delhi-to-get-second-airport-at-Hindon-by-February-next-year.html |title=Delhi to get second airport at Hindon by February next year |publisher=Livemint.com |date=2018-12-04 |access-date=2019-11-13}}</ref><ref name="indiatimes1"/> The terminal has been developed by AAI while the Uttar Pradesh government has built the connecting roads and provides electricity for the project.<ref name="HTT2"/>

==Airlines and destinations==

{{Airport-dest-list
|[[Star Air (India)|Star Air]]| [[Hubli Airport|Hubli]], [[Kalaburagi Airport|Kalaburagi]]}}

==Access==
The closest metro stations are Dilshad Garden and Major Mohit Sharma Rajendra Nagar Metro Station [Red Line], 5 km away from Hindon Airport. Gokulpuri Metro Station situated at the Pink Line of the Delhi Metro is also close to the airport.

==References==
{{reflist}}

<br />
{{Airports in India}}
{{Greater Delhi transit}}
[[Category:Indian Air Force bases]]
[[Category:Airports in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:2017 establishments in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Airports established in 2017]]

Safdarjung Airport

2022-12-15T06:33:59Z

2600:1700:5390:4560:D43A:CFF2:CAA9:8AF1:

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}}
{{Infobox airport
| name = Safdarjung Airport
| image = Safdarjung Airport Terminal Building.JPG
| image-width = 200px
| caption = Terminal building of Safdarjung Airport
| IATA =
| ICAO = VIDD
| type = Public
| owner = India
| operator = [[Airports Authority of India]]
| city-served = New Delhi
| location = [[Aurobindo Marg]], [[New Delhi]]
| elevation-f = 805
| elevation-m = 215
| coordinates = {{Coord|28|35|04|N|077|12|21|E|type:airport|display=inline,title}}
| website =
| metric-elev =
| metric-rwy =
| r1-number = 12/30
| r1-length-f = 4,520
| r1-length-m = 1,378
| r1-surface = [[Asphalt]]
| stat-year =
| stat1-header =
| stat1-data =
| stat2-header =
| stat2-data =
| footnotes =
}}

'''Safdarjung Airport''' {{Airport codes|N/A|VIDD}} is an airport in [[New Delhi]], [[India]], in the [[Safdarjung (Delhi)|neighbourhood]] of the same name. Established during the [[British Raj]] as '''Willingdon Airfield''', it started operations as an [[aerodrome]] in 1929, when it was India's second [[airport]] after the [[Juhu Aerodrome]] in Mumbai. It was used extensively during the [[Second World War]] as it was part of the South Atlantic air ferry route, and later during [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947]]. Once situated on the edge of [[Lutyens' Delhi]], today, it has the entire city of New Delhi around it. It remained the city's main airport until 1962, when operations shifted to [[Palam Airport]] completely by the late 1960s, as it could not support the new bigger aircraft such as [[jet aircraft]].<ref name=htflew/><ref>{{cite news |title=End of the road|url= http://www.livemint.com/2009/10/15220828/End-of-the-road.html|publisher=[[Mint (newspaper)|Mint]] |date=15 October 2009}}</ref>

The ''Delhi Flying Club'' was established here in 1928 with two [[de Havilland Moth]] aircraft named ‘Delhi’ and ‘Roshanara’. The airport functioned until 2001, however in January 2002, due to security considerations in the post [[9/11]] scenario, the government closed the airport for flying activities, the club only carries out aircraft maintenance courses today.<ref name=mecca>{{cite news|title=Mecca for young aviators|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Mecca-for-young-aviators/Article1-749072.aspx|publisher=Hindustan Times|date=23 September 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715193135/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Mecca-for-young-aviators/Article1-749072.aspx|archive-date=15 July 2015}}</ref> Today it is mostly used for [[VVIP]] helicopter passenger flights to the [[Indira Gandhi International Airport]] including the President and the Prime Minister.<ref name=toiuse>{{cite news |title=Ministries in row over Safdarjung Airport land|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-13/delhi/29413456_1_ud-ministry-safdarjung-airport-aviation-ministry |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127185501/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-13/delhi/29413456_1_ud-ministry-safdarjung-airport-aviation-ministry |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 January 2013 |work=[[The Times of India]]|date=13 April 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Need to abolish airport tax |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100704/biz.htm#2 |work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] |date=4 July 2010 }}</ref> The 190 acre airport complex,<ref name=toiuse/> has [[Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan]] on its grounds, which houses the [[Ministry of Civil Aviation (India)|Ministry of Civil Aviation]] as well as the headquarters of the [[Airports Authority of India]] (AAI).

==History==
Willingdon Airfield, as it was first known, was named after [[Lord Willingdon]], the [[Viceroy and Governor-General of India]] (1931–36). As New Delhi's first airport, it initially used grass runways and tents. The first [[airmail]] flight arrived on 30 November 1918. Also in the same year, the first London-Cairo-Delhi flight landed. It took another decade for complete airport infrastructure to come up, when the first [[commercial flight]] landed in 1927. In 1928, Willingdon Airfield was renamed 'Willingdon Airport' and Delhi Flying Club was established.<ref name=htflew>{{cite news |title=They flew over the new Capital|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/They-flew-over-the-new-Capital/Article1-749069.aspx |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125180830/http://www.hindustantimes.com/They-flew-over-the-new-Capital/Article1-749069.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 January 2013 |publisher=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=23 September 2011}}</ref>

In 1941, when the [[British Indian Army]] decided to raise its own airborne/parachute units, the southwest corner of the airport served as the site where the Air Landing School (ALS) of the [[Royal Indian Air Force]] was located and started operations. It was here the first paratroopers in India were trained, which included the first Indian [[paratrooper]], Lt (later Col) AG Ranjaraj, MVC, (Indian Medical Service and the Regimental Medical Officer of the 152 (Indian) Parachute Battalion) and earned their wings.

;Units
* [[Air Headquarters India Communication Squadron RAF]]{{sfn|Lake|1999|p=18}}
* [[Base Air Forces, Southeast Asia Communication Squadron RAF]]{{sfn|Lake|1999|p=35}}
* [[Headquarters Air Command Southeast Asia (Communication) Squadron RAF]]{{sfn|Lake|1999|p=128}}

==Post-independence==

[[File:Safdarjung Airport closeup.JPG|thumb|200px|Safdarjung Airport, [[Airports Authority of India]].]]
Post-independence in 1947, Willingdon was renamed Safdarjung, after nearby [[Safdarjung's Tomb]], which serves as a backdrop to the airport. It served as Delhi's main airport for over two decades, until a new site was chosen in west Delhi, known as Palam, then on city's outskirts, giving its [[Palam Airport]]. Palam Airport, started as RAF Station Palam, during [[World War II]], is now much enlarged and known as [[Indira Gandhi International Airport]], where the passenger operations were shifted in 1962 due to an increase in traffic.<ref>{{cite web
| title = First airfield, first airport, and now the Capital's green lungs - Hindustan Times | url = http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/First-airfield-first-airport-and-now-the-Capital-s-green-lungs/Article1-1051510.aspx | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130428231002/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/newdelhi/First-airfield-first-airport-and-now-the-Capital-s-green-lungs/Article1-1051510.aspx | url-status = dead | archive-date = 28 April 2013 |date=28 April 2013| access-date = 2013-09-23}}</ref> It is still used for [[general aviation]] purposes and small [[propeller (aircraft)|propeller]] planes take off and land from the airport. However, planes are cautioned when landing, since the airport is situated right next to a flyover highway. [[Indira Gandhi International Airport]] is the airport serving New Delhi; a much larger airport with three runways and over sixty domestic and international carriers serving it.

In 2001, after [[9/11]] the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]] decided to use the airport as the emergency getaway for the President and the PM. Thereafter in 2002, for security considerations, the government closed the airport for all public flying activities,<ref name="mecca"/> and all Delhi Flying Club (DFC) flights were shifted to [[Hisar Airport]].<ref name="The Times of India">{{cite news |title=Safdarjung airport flies into history |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2003-04-05/delhi/27267580_1_safdarjung-airport-delhi-flying-club-civil-aviation |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120712024828/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2003-04-05/delhi/27267580_1_safdarjung-airport-delhi-flying-club-civil-aviation |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 July 2012 |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=5 April 2003}}</ref> Since then, the airport is largely being used for VVIP helicopter transit to the [[Indira Gandhi International Airport]] for security reasons and also to avoid blocking vehicular traffic during the process. Since the early 2000s, when going on foreign trip, the PM receives his send-offs from his cabinet members and other dignitaries here, instead of the main airport.<ref>{{cite news |title= Sonia leads party to PM send-off |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040730/asp/nation/story_3561452.asp |publisher=[[The Telegraph (Kolkata)]] |date=30 July 2004 }}</ref> The airstrip is also used for small aircraft of state chief ministers such as those of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] and [[Haryana]], making it to 80 to 90 helicopter movements every month.<ref>{{cite news |title=Now park-and-ride facility at Safdarjung airport |url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/06/24/stories/2009062454170400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140506150843/http://www.hindu.com/2009/06/24/stories/2009062454170400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 May 2014 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=24 June 2009 }}</ref> and occasionally by Airport Authority of India, and Helicopter service company, [[Pawan Hans]].

During the [[2010 Commonwealth Games]], it was used as a park-and-ride facility, for parking of vehicles for those going to the [[Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi|Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium]]. Spread over 1,70,000 sq.m., the parking area could accommodate 3000 cars, 6000 two-wheelers and 450 buses of the shuttle service bus. In a year-long project, the [[New Delhi Municipal Council|NDMC]] undertook extensive renovation of the area, which included construction of new roads within the airport premises, and installation of [[jersey barrier]]s between the main tarmac and temporary parking area.<ref>{{cite news |title=Park-&-ride facility opened at Safdarjung |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-09-26/delhi/28222384_1_fob-ndmc-official-parimal-rai |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707055936/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-09-26/delhi/28222384_1_fob-ndmc-official-parimal-rai |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 July 2012 |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=26 September 2010}}</ref>

A {{convert|1.5|km}} long tunnel connects the Indian prime minister's residence to Safdarjung Airport, where VVIP helicopters land. Constructed beyond Kemal Atatürk Marg, Golf Course and [[Tomb of Safdarjung|Safdarjung Tomb]] and then an overground drive to surface at the helicopter hangar at the airport, work on the tunnel began in 2010 and was completed by July 2014 and Modi was the first PM to use it.<ref>{{cite web | title = Prime Minister Narendra Modi's house gets a secret tunnel in 7 RCR | url = http://www.deccanchronicle.com/140530/nation-current-affairs/article/prime-minister-narendra-modi-house-gets-secret-tunnel-7-rcr |work=Deccan Chronicle|author=Nishtha Grover |date= 30 May 2014| access-date = 2014-09-17 }}</ref>

Nearby residential areas of this airport are Jorbagh, [[Laxmibai Nagar]], [[INA Colony]] which houses employees of Airport Authority, and [[Sarojini Nagar]].

==Facilities==
The headquarters of the [[Airports Authority of India]], which functions under the [[Ministry of Civil Aviation (India)|Ministry of Civil Aviation]] and manages most of the [[airports]] in India, and the ministry itself is located in ''[[Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan]]'' on the grounds of the airport.<ref>"[http://203.145.141.162/cms/ContactUsSearchP.aspx?val=0 Contact Information Search]." [[Airports Authority of India]]. Retrieved on 9 September 2010. "Airports Authority of India, Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan, Safdarjung Airport, New Delhi - 110003"</ref> The [[Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi]] has its Delhi liaison office in the administrative block of the airport.<ref name="Address">"[http://www.igrua.in/contact.html Contact Address]." [[Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi]]. Retrieved on 20 February 2012. "Head Office: Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi Fursatganj Airfield CSM Nagar 229302 U.P. INDIA" and "Liaison Office at Delhi: Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi Admin Block, Safdarjung Airport New Delhi - 110 003 INDIA"</ref>

The [[Directorate General of Civil Aviation (India)|Directorate General of Civil Aviation]] has its headquarters opposite of the airport.<ref>[http://dgca.nic.in/ Home page] [[Directorate General of Civil Aviation (India)]]. Retrieved on 9 June 2009. "Aurbindo Marg, Opp. Safdarjung Airport, New Delhi 110 003, INDIA"</ref>

There is a special link from Prime Minister residence, 7 RCR (Now [[7, Lok Kalyan Marg]]) to Safadarjung Airport.<ref>[http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/watch-video-secret-tunnel-for-pm-modi-from-7-rcr-to-airport/1/364425.html Watch Video: Secret tunnel for PM Modi from 7 RCR to airport]</ref><ref>[http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/special-tunnel-being-built-for-narendra-modi-from-7-rcr-to-safdarjung-airport_935761.html Special tunnel being built for Narendra Modi from 7 RCR to Safdarjung airport]</ref> Safdarjung airport serves as a conduit for flying VVIPs to Indira Gandhi International Airport when they travel out of Delhi.

==Accidents and incidents==
*On 5 December 1970, Douglas DC-3 VT-CZC of [[Jamair]] crashed shortly after take-off,<ref name=Baugher>{{cite web|url=http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1942_5.html |title=1942 USAAF Serial Numbers (42-91974 to 42-110188) |publisher=Joe Baugher |access-date=13 November 2010}}</ref> following an engine failure. The aircraft was operating a non-scheduled passenger flight. Five of the sixteen people on board were killed.<ref name=ASN051270>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19701205-0 |title=VT-CZC Accident description |publisher=Aviation Safety Network |access-date=20 October 2010}}</ref>
*[[Sanjay Gandhi]] died in an air crash on 23 June 1980 near Safdarjung Airport in [[New Delhi]]. He was flying a new aircraft of the Delhi Flying Club, and, while performing a loop over his office, lost control and crashed. The only passenger in the plane, Captain Subhash Saxena, was also killed in the plane crash.<ref>{{cite news |title=Air tragedies not new for political leaders |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-09-02/india/28077445_1_chopper-crash-plane-crash-safdarjung-airport |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120709190921/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-09-02/india/28077445_1_chopper-crash-plane-crash-safdarjung-airport |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 July 2012 |work=[[The Times of India]] |date= 2 September 2009}}</ref>
*During 1971–72, a [[de Havilland Tiger Moth|Tiger Moth]] training aircraft took off and crashed killing two training pilots, Rajinder Bhatia and Pawar.

==Popular culture==
Safdarjung Airport is the setting for part of ''[[The Adventures of Tintin]]'' comic, ''[[Tintin in Tibet]]'', by [[Hergé]]. [[Tintin (character)|Tintin]], [[Snowy (character)|Snowy]], and [[Captain Haddock]] have a stop-over in [[India]], and they depart from Willingdon Airfield (now Safdarjung Airport).

==References==
===Citations===
{{Reflist}}
* [https://archive.today/20130104013740/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-04-06/delhi/28136174_1_delhi-flying-club-safdarjung-airport-aai Tussle over Safdarjung Airport] Times of India.
* [http://delhiflyingclub.org/ Delhi Flying Club, website]

===Bibliography===
*{{cite book |last1=Lake |first1=A |title= Flying units of the RAF |year=1999 |publisher= Airlife |location= [[Shrewsbury]] |isbn= 1-84037-086-6 }}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Portal|Aviation}}
*[http://aai.aero/allAirports/Safdarjung.jsp Safdarjung Airport] at [[Airports Authority of India]] (AAI)

{{Airports in India}}

[[Category:Defunct airports in India]]
[[Category:Airports in Delhi]]
[[Category:Aviation history of India]]
[[Category:History of the Indian Air Force]]
[[Category:Airports established in 1929]]
[[Category:1929 establishments in India]]

Safdarjung Airport

2022-12-15T06:33:59Z

2600:1700:5390:4560:D43A:CFF2:CAA9:8AF1:

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox airport
| name = Safdarjung Airport
| image = Safdarjung Airport Terminal Building.JPG
| image-width = 200px
| caption = Terminal building of Safdarjung Airport
| IATA =
| ICAO = VIDD
| type = Public
| owner = India
| operator = [[Airports Authority of India]]
| city-served = New Delhi
| location = [[Aurobindo Marg]], [[New Delhi]]
| elevation-f = 805
| elevation-m = 215
| coordinates = {{Coord|28|35|04|N|077|12|21|E|type:airport|display=inline,title}}
| website =
| metric-elev =
| metric-rwy =
| r1-number = 12/30
| r1-length-f = 4,520
| r1-length-m = 1,378
| r1-surface = [[Asphalt]]
| stat-year =
| stat1-header =
| stat1-data =
| stat2-header =
| stat2-data =
| footnotes =
}}

'''Safdarjung Airport''' {{Airport codes|N/A|VIDD}} is an airport in [[New Delhi]], [[India]], in the [[Safdarjung (Delhi)|neighbourhood]] of the same name. Established during the [[British Raj]] as '''Willingdon Airfield''', it started operations as an [[aerodrome]] in 1929, when it was India's second [[airport]] after the [[Juhu Aerodrome]] in Mumbai. It was used extensively during the [[Second World War]] as it was part of the South Atlantic air ferry route, and later during [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947]]. Once situated on the edge of [[Lutyens' Delhi]], today, it has the entire city of New Delhi around it. It remained the city's main airport until 1962, when operations shifted to [[Palam Airport]] completely by the late 1960s, as it could not support the new bigger aircraft such as [[jet aircraft]].<ref name=htflew/><ref>{{cite news |title=End of the road|url= http://www.livemint.com/2009/10/15220828/End-of-the-road.html|publisher=[[Mint (newspaper)|Mint]] |date=15 October 2022}}</ref>

The ''Delhi Flying Club'' was established here in 1928 with two [[de Havilland Moth]] aircraft named ‘Delhi’ and ‘Roshanara’. The airport functioned until 2001, however in January 2002, due to security considerations in the post [[9/11]] scenario, the government closed the airport for flying activities, the club only carries out aircraft maintenance courses today.<ref name=mecca>{{cite news|title=Mecca for young aviators|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Mecca-for-young-aviators/Article1-749072.aspx|publisher=Hindustan Times|date=23 September 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715193135/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Mecca-for-young-aviators/Article1-749072.aspx|archive-date=15 July 2022}}</ref> Today it is mostly used for [[VVIP]] helicopter passenger flights to the [[Indira Gandhi International Airport]] including the President and the Prime Minister.<ref name=toiuse>{{cite news |title=Ministries in row over Safdarjung Airport land|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-13/delhi/29413456_1_ud-ministry-safdarjung-airport-aviation-ministry |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127185501/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-13/delhi/29413456_1_ud-ministry-safdarjung-airport-aviation-ministry |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 January 2013 |work=[[The Times of India]]|date=13 April 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Need to abolish airport tax |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100704/biz.htm#2 |work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] |date=4 July 2010 }}</ref> The 190 acre airport complex,<ref name=toiuse/> has [[Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan]] on its grounds, which houses the [[Ministry of Civil Aviation (India)|Ministry of Civil Aviation]] as well as the headquarters of the [[Airports Authority of India]] (AAI).

==History==
Willingdon Airfield, as it was first known, was named after [[Lord Willingdon]], the [[Viceroy and Governor-General of India]] (1931–36). As New Delhi's first airport, it initially used grass runways and tents. The first [[airmail]] flight arrived on 30 November 1918. Also in the same year, the first London-Cairo-Delhi flight landed. It took another decade for complete airport infrastructure to come up, when the first [[commercial flight]] landed in 1927. In 1928, Willingdon Airfield was renamed 'Willingdon Airport' and Delhi Flying Club was established.<ref name=htflew>{{cite news |title=They flew over the new Capital|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/They-flew-over-the-new-Capital/Article1-749069.aspx |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125180830/http://www.hindustantimes.com/They-flew-over-the-new-Capital/Article1-749069.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 January 2013 |publisher=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=23 September 2022}}</ref>

In 1941, when the [[British Indian Army]] decided to raise its own airborne/parachute units, the southwest corner of the airport served as the site where the Air Landing School (ALS) of the [[Royal Indian Air Force]] was located and started operations. It was here the first paratroopers in India were trained, which included the first Indian [[paratrooper]], Lt (later Col) AG Ranjaraj, MVC, (Indian Medical Service and the Regimental Medical Officer of the 152 (Indian) Parachute Battalion) and earned their wings.

;Units
* [[Air Headquarters India Communication Squadron RAF]]{{sfn|Lake|1999|p=18}}
* [[Base Air Forces, Southeast Asia Communication Squadron RAF]]{{sfn|Lake|1999|p=35}}
* [[Headquarters Air Command Southeast Asia (Communication) Squadron RAF]]{{sfn|Lake|1999|p=128}}

==Post-independence==

[[File:Safdarjung Airport closeup.JPG|thumb|200px|Safdarjung Airport, [[Airports Authority of India]].]]
Post-independence in 1947, Willingdon was renamed Safdarjung, after nearby [[Safdarjung's Tomb]], which serves as a backdrop to the airport. It served as Delhi's main airport for over two decades, until a new site was chosen in west Delhi, known as Palam, then on city's outskirts, giving its [[Palam Airport]]. Palam Airport, started as RAF Station Palam, during [[World War II]], is now much enlarged and known as [[Indira Gandhi International Airport]], where the passenger operations were shifted in 1962 due to an increase in traffic.<ref>{{cite web
| title = First airfield, first airport, and now the Capital's green lungs - Hindustan Times | url = http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/First-airfield-first-airport-and-now-the-Capital-s-green-lungs/Article1-1051510.aspx | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130428231002/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/newdelhi/First-airfield-first-airport-and-now-the-Capital-s-green-lungs/Article1-1051510.aspx | url-status = dead | archive-date = 28 April 2013 |date=28 April 2013| access-date = 2013-09-23}}</ref> It is still used for [[general aviation]] purposes and small [[propeller (aircraft)|propeller]] planes take off and land from the airport. However, planes are cautioned when landing, since the airport is situated right next to a flyover highway. [[Indira Gandhi International Airport]] is the airport serving New Delhi; a much larger airport with three runways and over sixty domestic and international carriers serving it.

In 2001, after [[9/11]] the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]] decided to use the airport as the emergency getaway for the President and the PM. Thereafter in 2002, for security considerations, the government closed the airport for all public flying activities,<ref name="mecca"/> and all Delhi Flying Club (DFC) flights were shifted to [[Hisar Airport]].<ref name="The Times of India">{{cite news |title=Safdarjung airport flies into history |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2003-04-05/delhi/27267580_1_safdarjung-airport-delhi-flying-club-civil-aviation |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120712024828/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2003-04-05/delhi/27267580_1_safdarjung-airport-delhi-flying-club-civil-aviation |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 July 2012 |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=5 April 2022}}</ref> Since then, the airport is largely being used for VVIP helicopter transit to the [[Indira Gandhi International Airport]] for security reasons and also to avoid blocking vehicular traffic during the process. Since the early 2000s, when going on foreign trip, the PM receives his send-offs from his cabinet members and other dignitaries here, instead of the main airport.<ref>{{cite news |title= Sonia leads party to PM send-off |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040730/asp/nation/story_3561452.asp |publisher=[[The Telegraph (Kolkata)]] |date=30 July 2004 }}</ref> The airstrip is also used for small aircraft of state chief ministers such as those of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] and [[Haryana]], making it to 80 to 90 helicopter movements every month.<ref>{{cite news |title=Now park-and-ride facility at Safdarjung airport |url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/06/24/stories/2009062454170400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140506150843/http://www.hindu.com/2009/06/24/stories/2009062454170400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 May 2014 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=24 June 2009 }}</ref> and occasionally by Airport Authority of India, and Helicopter service company, [[Pawan Hans]].

During the [[2010 Commonwealth Games]], it was used as a park-and-ride facility, for parking of vehicles for those going to the [[Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi|Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium]]. Spread over 1,70,000 sq.m., the parking area could accommodate 3000 cars, 6000 two-wheelers and 450 buses of the shuttle service bus. In a year-long project, the [[New Delhi Municipal Council|NDMC]] undertook extensive renovation of the area, which included construction of new roads within the airport premises, and installation of [[jersey barrier]]s between the main tarmac and temporary parking area.<ref>{{cite news |title=Park-&-ride facility opened at Safdarjung |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-09-26/delhi/28222384_1_fob-ndmc-official-parimal-rai |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707055936/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-09-26/delhi/28222384_1_fob-ndmc-official-parimal-rai |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 July 2012 |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=26 September 2022}}</ref>

A {{convert|1.5|km}} long tunnel connects the Indian prime minister's residence to Safdarjung Airport, where VVIP helicopters land. Constructed beyond Kemal Atatürk Marg, Golf Course and [[Tomb of Safdarjung|Safdarjung Tomb]] and then an overground drive to surface at the helicopter hangar at the airport, work on the tunnel began in 2010 and was completed by July 2014 and Modi was the first PM to use it.<ref>{{cite web | title = Prime Minister Narendra Modi's house gets a secret tunnel in 7 RCR | url = http://www.deccanchronicle.com/140530/nation-current-affairs/article/prime-minister-narendra-modi-house-gets-secret-tunnel-7-rcr |work=Deccan Chronicle|author=Nishtha Grover |date= 30 May 2014| access-date = 2014-09-17 }}</ref>

Nearby residential areas of this airport are Jorbagh, [[Laxmibai Nagar]], [[INA Colony]] which houses employees of Airport Authority, and [[Sarojini Nagar]].

==Facilities==
The headquarters of the [[Airports Authority of India]], which functions under the [[Ministry of Civil Aviation (India)|Ministry of Civil Aviation]] and manages most of the [[airports]] in India, and the ministry itself is located in ''[[Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan]]'' on the grounds of the airport.<ref>"[http://203.145.141.162/cms/ContactUsSearchP.aspx?val=0 Contact Information Search]." [[Airports Authority of India]]. Retrieved on 9 September 2010. "Airports Authority of India, Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan, Safdarjung Airport, New Delhi - 110003"</ref> The [[Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi]] has its Delhi liaison office in the administrative block of the airport.<ref name="Address">"[http://www.igrua.in/contact.html Contact Address]." [[Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi]]. Retrieved on 20 February 2012. "Head Office: Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi Fursatganj Airfield CSM Nagar 229302 U.P. INDIA" and "Liaison Office at Delhi: Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi Admin Block, Safdarjung Airport New Delhi - 110 003 INDIA"</ref>

The [[Directorate General of Civil Aviation (India)|Directorate General of Civil Aviation]] has its headquarters opposite of the airport.<ref>[http://dgca.nic.in/ Home page] [[Directorate General of Civil Aviation (India)]]. Retrieved on 9 June 2009. "Aurbindo Marg, Opp. Safdarjung Airport, New Delhi 110 003, INDIA"</ref>

There is a special link from Prime Minister residence, 7 RCR (Now [[7, Lok Kalyan Marg]]) to Safadarjung Airport.<ref>[http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/watch-video-secret-tunnel-for-pm-modi-from-7-rcr-to-airport/1/364425.html Watch Video: Secret tunnel for PM Modi from 7 RCR to airport]</ref><ref>[http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/special-tunnel-being-built-for-narendra-modi-from-7-rcr-to-safdarjung-airport_935761.html Special tunnel being built for Narendra Modi from 7 RCR to Safdarjung airport]</ref> Safdarjung airport serves as a conduit for flying VVIPs to Indira Gandhi International Airport when they travel out of Delhi.

==Accidents and incidents==
*On 5 December 1970, Douglas DC-3 VT-CZC of [[Jamair]] crashed shortly after take-off,<ref name=Baugher>{{cite web|url=http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1942_5.html |title=1942 USAAF Serial Numbers (42-91974 to 42-110188) |publisher=Joe Baugher |access-date=13 November 2022}}</ref> following an engine failure. The aircraft was operating a non-scheduled passenger flight. Five of the sixteen people on board were killed.<ref name=ASN051270>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19701205-0 |title=VT-CZC Accident description |publisher=Aviation Safety Network |access-date=20 October 2022}}</ref>
*[[Sanjay Gandhi]] died in an air crash on 23 June 1980 near Safdarjung Airport in [[New Delhi]]. He was flying a new aircraft of the Delhi Flying Club, and, while performing a loop over his office, lost control and crashed. The only passenger in the plane, Captain Subhash Saxena, was also killed in the plane crash.<ref>{{cite news |title=Air tragedies not new for political leaders |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-09-02/india/28077445_1_chopper-crash-plane-crash-safdarjung-airport |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120709190921/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-09-02/india/28077445_1_chopper-crash-plane-crash-safdarjung-airport |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 July 2012 |work=[[The Times of India]] |date= 2 September 2022}}</ref>
*During 1971–72, a [[de Havilland Tiger Moth|Tiger Moth]] training aircraft took off and crashed killing two training pilots, Rajinder Bhatia and Pawar.

==Popular culture==
Safdarjung Airport is the setting for part of ''[[The Adventures of Tintin]]'' comic, ''[[Tintin in Tibet]]'', by [[Hergé]]. [[Tintin (character)|Tintin]], [[Snowy (character)|Snowy]], and [[Captain Haddock]] have a stop-over in [[India]], and they depart from Willingdon Airfield (now Safdarjung Airport).

==References==
===Citations===
{{Reflist}}
* [https://archive.today/20130104013740/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-04-06/delhi/28136174_1_delhi-flying-club-safdarjung-airport-aai Tussle over Safdarjung Airport] Times of India.
* [http://delhiflyingclub.org/ Delhi Flying Club, website]

===Bibliography===
*{{cite book |last1=Lake |first1=A |title= Flying units of the RAF |year=1999 |publisher= Airlife |location= [[Shrewsbury]] |isbn= 1-84037-086-6 }}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Portal|Aviation}}
*[http://aai.aero/allAirports/Safdarjung.jsp Safdarjung Airport] at [[Airports Authority of India]] (AAI)

{{Airports in India}}

[[Category:Defunct airports in India]]
[[Category:Airports in Delhi]]
[[Category:Aviation history of India]]
[[Category:History of the Indian Air Force]]
[[Category:Airports established in 1929]]
[[Category:1929 establishments in India]]