Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport

Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport is a public airport that principally serves Indore and adjacent regions in the Indian State of Madhya Pradesh. It is the busiest airport in Madhya Pradesh and is located 8 km west of Indore. According to the statistics released by the Airports Authority of India, the agency responsible for the maintenance and management of the airport, it is the 24th busiest airport in India by passenger traffic. The airport is named after Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore, belonging to the Holkar dynasty of the Maratha Empire.HistoryThe Holkar State Administration, after consulting Mr. Nevill Vintcent of Messrs Tata and Sons (Aviation Department), selected the Bijasan site for the construction of the airport in 1935. Air services from Indore to Gwalior, Delhi and Mumbai began in July 1948. The airport was handed over to the Government of India in April 1950 under the Central Financial Integration Scheme. A new runway measuring 5600 feet in length was completed by March 1966 at a cost of 1.5 million to accommodate larger aircraft. Night landing facilities were also provided.StructureIndore airport measures 729 acres and the current terminal building, spread over 18,000 m2. The adjoining concrete aprons have parking bays to cater to 5 ATR-72, 4 Airbus A-321 and 3 Boeing 737 aircraft simultaneously. Indore's sole runway 07/25 is 2750 metres long and 45 metres wide.