Bhopal Airport (BHO)

Also known as Raja Bhoj International Airport, this Airport is located 15 Km northwest of Bhopal city in the sub urban area, which is known as Bairagarh. Precisely, the airport is located on the National Highway 12. It serves the city of Bhopal in the state of Madhya Pradesh.

Operated by the Airports Authority of India, Bhopal Airport had been given the status of international airport recently, on 23rd Oct 2010, when it flew its first direct flight to Saudi Arabia. Hence, after Nagpur, Maharashtra, and Indore, this is the fourth international airport in Central India. This has favoured the Hajj Pilgrims a lot, as now they can easily catch up a direct flight from Bhopal to Jeddah.

The airport had two runways. They were of 1,042 metres and 2,042 metres. However, in order to accommodate the international flights, one of the runway strips has extended from 2,042 metres to 2,700 metres. This was the first stage of development, and it is expected that the runway will increase from 2,700 metres to 3,500 metres in the 2nd stage of development.

Operating Flights

Currently, three airlines are operating at the airport: Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, and Jet Lite Airlines. Indian Airlines is responsible for operating flights to and from Delhi and Mumbai. Jet Airways operates flights to and from Ahmadabad, Delhi, Indore, Raipur, Mumbai, and Hyderabad. Likewise, Jetlite travels to and from Indore and Delhi.

The Terminal

The building of the airport’s terminal is currently being renovated. The terminal, known as the Integrated Terminal Building, was inaugurated on 20th February 2009. It is being built on the international standards with a modern complex, which will be finished soon and will accommodate all the facilities. There are two boarding gates located at the terminal. The terminal is also equipped with excellent navigational aid systems, and has excellent lightning systems.

Facilities

Currently, the facilities that are available at the terminal of Bhopal Airport are tea and coffee vending machines, magazine stalls, pearls and jewellery shop, restaurant and snack bar, and travellers’ requisite items. The facilities that are available at the departure area are Post Office, ATM, PCO and internet. The amenities available for the arrivals are car rental services, banking services, First Aid services and tourist information counters. Other facilities available at the airport are free trolleys, telephone security holding areas, wheel chairs and a separate area for lost and found services.

Coming to the ground transport systems of the airport, there are separate car parking areas. These areas charge you a small amount of money. There are hotel pickup cars, car rental services, and general taxi services available, just outside the terminal premises of the airport.

The famous hotels and their distances from the airport are as follows:

• Noor Shaba Palace : 06 Km

• Jahanuma Palace : 12 Km

• Ashok Lake View : 12 Km

• Residency Hotel : 17 Km

• Amer Palace: 17 Km.