Safdarjung Airport - Revision history

CleanupBot II: Removed empty portal template using script

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Removed empty portal template using script

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:42, 14 August 2023
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	==External links==		==External links==
	{{Commons category}}		{{Commons category}}
	~~{{Portal\|Aviation}}~~
	*[http://aai.aero/allAirports/Safdarjung.jsp Safdarjung Airport] at [[Airports Authority of India]] (AAI)		*[http://aai.aero/allAirports/Safdarjung.jsp Safdarjung Airport] at [[Airports Authority of India]] (AAI)

2600:1700:5390:4560:D43A:CFF2:CAA9:8AF1 at 06:33, 15 December 2022

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	{{Use dmy dates\|date=July ~~2022~~}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=July 2018}}
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	{{Infobox airport		{{Infobox airport
	\| name = Safdarjung Airport		\| name = Safdarjung Airport
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	'''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>		'''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 ~~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).		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==		==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>		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.		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.
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	\| 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.		\| 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]].		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 ~~2022~~}}</ref>		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>		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>
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	==Accidents and incidents==		==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>		*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 ~~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 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.		*During 1971–72, a [[de Havilland Tiger Moth\|Tiger Moth]] training aircraft took off and crashed killing two training pilots, Rajinder Bhatia and Pawar.

2600:1700:5390:4560:D43A:CFF2:CAA9:8AF1 at 06:33, 15 December 2022

2022-12-15T06:33:59Z

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← Older revision		Revision as of 22:12, 31 October 2021
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	*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>		*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>		*[[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.		*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==		==Popular culture==
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	{{Portal\|Aviation}}		{{Portal\|Aviation}}
	*[http://aai.aero/allAirports/Safdarjung.jsp Safdarjung Airport] at [[Airports Authority of India]] (AAI)		*[http://aai.aero/allAirports/Safdarjung.jsp Safdarjung Airport] at [[Airports Authority of India]] (AAI)
	*{{WAD\|VIDD}}

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

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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}}
{{Infobox airport
| name = Safdarjung Airport
| image = Safdarjung Airport Terminal Bldg 2.JPG
| image-width = 200px
| caption = Terminal building of Safdarjung Airport
| IATA =
| ICAO = VIDD
| type = Public
| owner =
| operator = [[Airports Authority of India]]
| city-served =
| 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 in World War II#India-China Air Route|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 till 1962, when operation 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|7 LKM]]) 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)
*{{WAD|VIDD}}

{{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]]