NAVNEET DUBEY
Jammu: Jammu Airport will start international operations from the existing terminal building, with necessary arrangements for customs and immigration to be put in place. Once the new terminal building of Jammu Airport is completed and commissioned by March next year, all operations, including international flights, will be shifted there with enhanced passenger handling capacity and modern facilities.
Jammu airport director Devender Yadav told The New Now that Jammu Airport’s new terminal building is likely to be commissioned by March 27 and under the master plan, the existing terminal building would be utilised for international operations after domestic services shift to the New Terminal Building. He also informed participants about Jammu Airport’s inclusion as a spoke Airport under the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s Hub-and-Spoke Model.
Yadav today held a planning and coordination meeting to explore the commencement of international flight operations from Jammu Airport. He highlighted Jammu’s potential for international connectivity, citing religious tourism, its strategic location, educational institutions, business activities and defence-related passenger movement.
Rahul Sahai, Chairman, Indian Chamber of Commerce, Jammu Chamber, also present in the meeting emphasised that whichever international sector are selected should be commercially sustainable and operated with continuity, avoiding withdrawal after commencement. His suggestions focused on priority connectivity to the Middle East, Saudi Arabia, The UK and Europe; Umra travel; Pilgrimage and Scenic rail tourism; and international education.
Rajesh Gupta, Chairman, Tourism Federation of Jammu, shared suggestion on the initiative’s potential to promote tourism and trade. Discussion covered passenger demand, airline interest, potential destination, air cargo opportunities and operational feasibility. Requirements relating to immigration, customs, security, regulatory approvals, infrastructure and manpower were also examined, including coordination with the Indian Air Force and other concerned agencies.
Yadav has earlier stated that the operationalisation of the new terminal building, would lead to a major upgrade exercise vis-à-vis Jammu Airport, also in terms of expanded air connectivity, passenger handling and advanced cargo facilities.
Operational since the 1930s, Jammu Airport, he points out, is a unique joint-controlled airfield, managed by the Airport Authority of India (AAI) and the Indian Air Force (IAF). The IAF manages Air Traffic Control (ATC), runway operations and the operational area, the AAI manages the apron, terminal building and city-side infrastructure.
Yadav informed that the passenger handling capacity increased from one million in 2014 to 2.6 million at present and it would be further enhanced to 4.5 million through the development of new terminal building. “The terminal area has also expanded from 7000 sq m in 2024 to 14500 sq m currently and will further increase to 40,000 sq m upon completion of new terminal building – thus registering almost 3 to 4 times increase,” he stated.
The aircraft parking capacity, according to him, has also increased from 7 to 13 parking stands, four A-321 type aircrafts through construction of a new civil enclave apron.
