Agartala, September 16: Development work at Kailashahar Airport will be taken up after airlines confirm their plans to operate flights from the facility, MBB Airport Director Krishnan Mohan Nehra said on Wednesday.
Speaking at a press conference in Agartala, Nehra said one or two airlines are preparing formal proposals to introduce services from Kailashahar. The infrastructure required at the airport will be determined by the aircraft that the airlines intend to operate.
“We will make that airport operational if an airline gives its consent,” Nehra said.
He said the existing facilities would need to be upgraded substantially, particularly if larger aircraft are to be introduced. The airport also requires additional land to facilitate the proposed expansion, with 205 acres already sought from the State Government.
Nehra said smaller aircraft could operate from Kailashahar under Visual Flight Rules when visibility and weather conditions are suitable. However, operations during poor visibility would require an Instrument Landing System (ILS).
The system would assist pilots during approach by providing guidance for runway alignment as well as directional and distance information, he said.
“As soon as the land is provided, we will develop it,” Nehra added.
Turning to flight operations at Agartala, the airport director said changes in flight frequencies were determined by airlines and could be influenced by commercial considerations, aircraft availability and maintenance requirements.
Hyderabad services, which previously operated five days a week, have now been reduced to three days, while changes have also been made to Delhi flight schedules.
Nehra said he had contacted airline CEOs and requested them to continue their services from Agartala, citing the strong demand for air travel. The State Government has also raised the matter with the Union Civil Aviation Ministry.
He said passenger traffic at the airport usually remains relatively low from July to September but picks up during the festival season.
MBB Airport currently operates around 14 arrivals and 14 departures daily. Passenger movement averages 4,000-4,500 a day and rises to nearly 6,000 during peak periods. Flight occupancy during busy periods often ranges between 95 and 99 per cent.
The airport handled approximately 1.5 million passengers during the 2025-26 financial year and ranked sixth nationally in the Customer Satisfaction Survey, Nehra said.
Meanwhile, the airport will undertake two campaigns aimed at strengthening passenger services. **‘Swachhta Hi Seva’** will run from September 17 to October 2, followed by **‘Yatri Sewa Abhiyan 2026’**, scheduled to continue until October 10.
The programmes will cover cleanliness, passenger information, baggage management, drinking water, digital services and facilities for senior citizens and Divyangjan. Women- and child-friendly services, cultural promotion and emergency preparedness will also be addressed.
Nehra said passenger service would be treated as a continuous priority, with **“Service with Smile”** adopted as the central theme of the initiatives.
