Jakkur Aerodrome

Jakkur Aerodrome is an airport located in Jakkur, a suburb of Bangalore, Karnataka, India. It is the only dedicated general aviation field in Bangalore. The airfield is the site of the Government Flying Training School (GFTS), the only flying school in the state.The aerodrome is spread over. The premises include facilities for flight training, area leased to private parties for hangars and maintenance activities and other common facilities (airstrip, fuel station etc.).HistoryThe Maharaja of Mysore acquired over of land to build Jakkur Aerodrome, which opened in 1948. The airfield was then transferred to the Government of Karnataka on the condition that the latter would only build a flying school at Jakkur. The Government Flying Training School (GFTS) was established on 26 March 1949. It operated smoothly until 1997, when it faced a shortage of aircraft, fuel, maintenance engineers and flying instructors. The school has operated sporadically since then.In January 2014, a flyover was completed over NH 44 to improve connectivity between the city centre and the international airport. The flyover, over high and constructed immediately west of the runway at Jakkur, presents an obstruction to aircraft landing at the aerodrome. Although the western half of the runway had already been closed off to accommodate, the government closed Jakkur Aerodrome on 8 June. The GFTS was forced to relocate, with 18 students still undergoing training. The school continued students' training at the airports in Hubli and Mysore. However, by October 2014 the school had resumed operations. The western portion of the runway remains closed, but a extension is planned.