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{{Short description|Domestic airport in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, India}}
{{More citations needed|date=May 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox airport
| name = Pithoragarh Airport
| image = Pithoragarh Naini Saini Airport.jpg
| image-width =
| IATA = NNS
| ICAO = VIPG
| type = Public
| owner = [[Airports Authority of India]]
| operator = Airports Authority of India
| owner-oper =
| city-served = [[Pithoragarh]]
| location = Naini-Saini, Pithoragarh, [[Uttarakhand]], [[India]]
| built = {{start date and age|1991|||df=y|p=n|br=n}}
| pushpin_map = India Uttarakhand#India
| pushpin_relief =
| pushpin_label = '''NNS'''
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of airport in Uttarakhand
| coordinates = {{coord|29|35|29.20|N|80|14|24.40|E|type:airport|display=inline,title}}
| website =
| metric-rwy = y
| metric-elev = y
| r1-number = 14/32
| r1-length-f = 5,250
| r1-length-m = 1,600
| r1-surface = [[Asphalt concrete|Asphalt]]
| stat-year = April 2024 - March 2025
| stat1-header = Passengers
| stat1-data = 16,263 ({{increase}} 838.4%)
| stat2-header = Aircraft movements
| stat2-data = 2479 ({{increase}} 950.4%)
| stat3-header = Cargo tonnage
| stat3-data = —
| footnotes = Source: [[Airports Authority of India|AAI]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Annexure III - Passengers (in Nos.)|url= https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k25Annex3_0.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Annexure II – Aircraft Movement Data|url= https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k25Annex2.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Annexure IV – Freight Movement Data|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k24Annex4.pdf|website=aai.aero|access-date=24 April 2024}}</ref>
}}

'''Naini–Saini Airport''' {{Airport codes|NNS|VIPG}}, also known as '''Pithoragarh Airport''', is a [[domestic airport]] serving [[Pithoragarh]] and [[Kumaon division]] in [[Uttarakhand]], [[India]]. It is located at Naini-Saini, {{cvt|4.5|km}} north-east from the city centre. The airport has been designated to be developed as a greenfield airport under the [[Government of India|government's]] [[UDAN|UDAN Scheme]].<ref name="CAPA">{{cite web|title=Pithoragarh Airport Profile–CAPA|url=https://centreforaviation.com/data/profiles/airports/pithoragarh-airport|website=CAPA|access-date=2 February 2024}}</ref>

==History==
The airport was constructed in 1991 for administrative use and planned for the operations of [[Dornier 228]] type aircraft. To facilitate development, connectivity, socio-economic growth, and [[Tourism in Uttarakhand|tourism in the state]], the [[Government of Uttarakhand]] has upgraded it to category "2C" airport under [[Visual flight rules]] (VFR) conditions, by extending the runway and building a passenger terminal to handle commercial operations. In the coming years, the airport will be expanded further to handle larger aircraft and more passengers, with night landing facilities for aircraft to facilitate operations at night.<ref>{{cite web|title=Executive Summary, Expansion of Naini-Saini airport|url=http://ueppcb.uk.gov.in/files/Naini-Saiini-Airstrip-Executive-Summary-English_1.pdf |access-date=20 September 2019|work=[[RITES]]|date=October 2012}}</ref> Since the opening of the airport, it was used only for private and government purposes, until when in January 2019, it was included in the [[Government of India|government's]] [[UDAN|UDAN Scheme]], and began to handle commercial operations and flights for the first time, to [[Dehradun Airport|Dehradun]], [[Hindon Airport|Ghaziabad]] and [[Pantnagar Airport|Pantnagar]], operated with 9 seater aircraft by the regional carrier, Heritage Aviation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Naini Saini Airport|url=https://www.euttaranchal.com/tourism/naini-saini-airport.php|work=eUttaranchal|access-date=1 February 2024}}</ref> However, due to multiple technical issues that persisted and occurred several times since February 2019, flight operations did not continue adequately after November 2019, and were indefinitely suspended in February 2020 due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Air services between Pantnagar and Pithoragarh to remain suspended till Feb 18|url=https://www.zeebiz.com/india/news-air-services-between-pantnagar-and-pithoragarh-to-remain-suspended-till-feb-18-85770|work=Zee Business|date=13 February 2019|access-date=2 February 2024|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Punetha|first=Prem|title=Flight services suspended at Pithoragarh airport till Nov 6|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/flight-services-suspended-at-pithoragarh-airport-till-nov-6/articleshow/71905962.cms|work=The Times of India|date=5 November 2019|access-date=2 February 2024|language=en}}</ref> In August 2022, regular helicopter services from the airport to Dehradun and Pantnagar were started by [[Pawan Hans]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Srinivas|first=Eshita|title=Tourists In Uttarakhand Can Now Charter A Helicopter Between Dehradun And Pithoragarh|url=https://www.travelandleisureasia.com/in/news/how-to-charter-helicopter-between-dehradun-and-pithoragarh-uttarakhand/|work=Travel + Leisure India|date=29 August 2022|access-date=1 February 2024|language=en}}</ref>

In February 2023, the [[Union Cabinet]] approved the [[Indian Air Force]]'s move to take over the airport operations. This was also approved by the [[Government of Uttarakhand]]. Post transfer, both military and commercial flights will be operated from the airstrip.<ref>{{Cite news |title=IAF to take over Naini Saini airport |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/iaf-to-take-over-naini-saini-airport/articleshow/98030992.cms |access-date=2024-10-13 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=ANI |last2=ThePrint |date=2023-02-16 |title=IAF to take over Pithoragarh airport in Uttarakhand |url=https://theprint.in/india/iaf-to-take-over-pithoragarh-airport-in-uttarakhand/1377170/?amp |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref>

After a gap of about four years, on 30 January 2024, flight operations were resumed by [[FlyBig]] to Dehradun from the airport, using a 19-seater [[de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter#Viking Air DHC-6 Series 400|Viking DHC-6-400 Twin Otter]] aircraft. The airline will later restart the flights to Ghaziabad and Pantnagar.<ref>{{cite news|title=Flight operations resume from Pithoragarh's Naini-Saini airport after three years! 19-seater aircraft to run between Dehradun and Pithoragarh – Details here|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/business/airlines-aviation-flight-operations-resume-from-pithoragarhs-naini-saini-airport-after-three-years-19-seater-aircraft-to-run-between-dehradun-and-pithoragargh-details-here-3379124/|work=The Financial Express|date=30 January 2024|access-date=2 February 2024|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Shiraz|first=Zarafshan|title=Flight operations restart from Naini-Saini airport at Pithoragarh, linking sacred lands in Uttarakhand|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/travel/flight-operations-restart-from-naini-saini-airport-at-pithoragarh-linking-sacred-lands-in-uttarakhand-101706613583529.html|work=Hindustan Times|date=30 January 2024|access-date=2 February 2024|language=en}}</ref>

As of October 2024, it was reported that the IAF and [[Ministry of Defence (India)|MoD]] were in an advanced stage of talks with the State Government to take over or operate from 3 civilian airports, including the [[Gauchar]], [[Pithoragarh Airport]] and [[Chinyalisaur Airport|Dharasu Airports]]. The IAF has plans to establish an airstrip in the [[Spiti]] region as well. All the airstrips are capable and have been demonstrated to handle operations of the [[C-130J]] [[special operations]] aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-13 |title=China on mind, IAF in talks with Uttarakhand to take over 3 airstrips |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india/china-on-mind-iaf-in-talks-with-uttarakhand-to-take-over-3-airstrips/amp |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=The Tribune}}</ref>

==Structure & Expansion Plan==
The airport has a {{cvt|1600|m}}-long and {{cvt|30|m}}-wide runway, oriented 14/32, which has taken its present length after extending it two times from {{cvt|1097|m}} and {{cvt|1508|m}}, and is capable of handling [[ATR 72]] type aircraft, an [[Airport apron|apron]] for parking of two ATR-72 type aircraft, a passenger terminal covering an area of {{cvt|2440|sqm}}, capable of serving up to 300,000 passengers per annum, an [[Air Traffic Control]] (ATC) tower, a fire station and a technical block. It is linked to [[Pithoragarh]] through an access road. In the coming years, the airport will be expanded further, by extending the runway and building a new passenger terminal to cater to more passengers and air traffic. The state govt has also cleared a Rs 450 crore plan to expand Pithoragarh Airport. An MoU has been signed with Airport Authority of India (AAI) for Pithoragarh's airport management.<ref name="CAPA"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Naini Saini Airport is ready for flight services in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, just 50 km from China border|url=https://www.weeklyblitz.net/news/naini-saini-airport-is-ready-for-flight-services-in-pithoragarh-uttarakhand-just-50-km-from-china-border/|work=Blitz|date=14 June 2023|access-date=2 February 2024|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title= IAF To Operate Chinyalisaur & Gauchar Airstrips In State|url= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/iaf-to-operate-chinyalisaur-gauchar-airstrips-in-state/articleshow/123508165.cms}}</ref>

==Airlines and Helicopter destinations==

{{Airport-dest-list
| [[Alliance Air (India)|Alliance Air]] | [[IGI Airport|Delhi]], [[Jolly Grant Airport|Dehradun ]] | [[Heritage Aviation -HeliService]] | [[Tatik Helipad|Almora]], [[Gaulapar Helipad|Haldwani]] , [[Munsyari Helipad|Munsyari]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Flight ops resume from Naini-Saini airport in Pithoragarh after 3 yrs|url=https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/flight-ops-resume-from-naini-saini-airport-in-pithoragarh-after-3-yrs-124013000548_1.html|work=Business Standard|date=31 January 2024|access-date=2 February 2024|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title= Daily helicopter services launched on Pithoragarh-Almora route for INR 2,500 |url= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/travel-news/daily-helicopter-services-launched-on-pithoragarh-almora-route-for-inr-2500/articleshow/116262920.cms}}</ref>}}

== See also ==
* [[List of airports in Uttarakhand]]
* [[List of airports in India]]
* [[Kumaon division]]
* [[Garhwal division]]
* [[Tourism in Uttarakhand]]
* [[UDAN|UDAN Scheme]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Airports in Uttarakhand}}
{{Airports in India}}

[[Category:Pithoragarh]]
[[Category:Airports in Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:1991 establishments in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Airports established in 1991]]
[[Category:20th-century architecture in India]]
[[Category:Airports Authority of India]]

Naini–Saini Airport - Revision history

IraNguyen82392: starting a info w/ sources...