To handle more flights at Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport, authorities are considering expanding the airport’s air space. If the current air space, which spans 5 nautical miles (approximately 9.26 km), is increased, the number of flight landings per hour could rise from 7 to 12. The proposal was discussed in a recent Airport Advisory Committee meeting and will now be submitted to the central government for consideration.
At present, the airport’s Air Traffic Control (ATC) manages up to 7 aircraft per hour due to limited air space. If the Indian Air Force allocates additional air space, the airport could accommodate 12 landings per hour, significantly enhancing runway efficiency and overall operations.
Currently, 18 to 20 flights operate daily between 7:30 AM and 7:15 PM. With the new terminal, the airport now has the capacity to handle 5 million passengers annually. An increase in available air space would enable more flights and offer improved services to travelers.
Key Issues Identified:
- Air Space Limitation: Expansion is essential to manage more landings efficiently.
- Land Requirement for Runway: The airport needs 140.5 acres of additional land for future runway expansion.
- Wildlife Intrusion: The presence of wildlife near the airport poses a safety risk during flights.
“Dehradun Airport will be able to handle more flights per hour if additional air space is granted. The proposal was discussed in the advisory committee meeting,” said Prabhakar Mishra, Airport Director, Dehradun.
