Indore airport set for global takeoff

New terminal, direct flights to Bangkok, Singapore soon

K K Jha
Indore: In a monumental leap toward becoming a global aviation hub, Devi Ahilyabai Holkar International Airport in Indore is set to undergo a massive transformation. With its annual passenger capacity slated to increase to 5.5 million within the next four months, the airport is gearing up for a new era of connectivity and infrastructure development. A state-of-the-art terminal will be constructed ahead of the Simhastha 2028 event, and plans are already in motion to expand the runway to accommodate intercontinental flights, making direct flights to the United States a reality shortly.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjaraapu Ramamohan Naidu announced this Sunday during the inauguration of the new Air Traffic Control (ATC) building at the airport.
Currently, Indore is connected with 90 flights, and discussions with airlines are in progress to introduce new routes, including direct flights to Singapore and Bangkok. The minister emphasized that these initiatives will position Indore as a key international aviation hub in Central India, bridging the gap between domestic and global travel.
Marking his first visit to Indore, Minister Naidu praised the city’s cleanliness and progressive spirit. He remarked, “Indore is not only the cleanest city in India but also home to people with clean hearts and visionary minds. This city’s development team is setting benchmarks for others to follow.” Naidu added that Indore’s consistent top ranking in cleanliness inspired him to visit the city, and he was delighted to witness its remarkable progress firsthand.

New ATC building, zero-waste initiatives unveiled

As part of the event, Minister Naidu inaugurated several key projects, including the new ATC building, a modern fire station, and a zero-waste garbage plant at the airport. He even took the ATC seat for a brief interaction with a parked aircraft’s pilot, calling it “a unique and memorable experience.”

Highlighting the rapid expansion of India’s aviation sector, the minister credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for the remarkable progress. He noted that the number of airports in India has nearly doubled from 74 to 150 over the last decade, while the fleet size has increased from 400 to 800 aircraft. The UDAN scheme, aimed at enhancing connectivity to smaller cities, has significantly contributed to this growth.
The upcoming runway expansion and terminal upgrades will transform Indore Airport into a world-class international hub. Direct flights to key global destinations like the U.S. and Singapore will enhance connectivity and boost Indore’s economic and cultural ties with the world.

The event saw the presence of prominent leaders, including State Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, Member of Parliament Shankar Lalwani, Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava, and MLA Mahendra Hardia, who expressed their support for the ambitious plans.