Warangal To Host Telangana’s Second Airport, Rs 205 Crore Sanctioned For Land Acquisition

Telangana is set to have its second airport at Mamnoor in Warangal district, following the clearance from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), marking a significant milestone in the state’s infrastructure development.

Currently, the state has only one operational airport, the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad in Hyderabad. The state government has recognised Mamnoor as a potential airport because of its proximity to a tourist destination and has allocated land to the AAI for the purpose under the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme.

It recently sanctioned Rs 205 crore to acquire over 280.3 acres of land for the airport's development.

The airport will undergo comprehensive infrastructure development to meet international standards, enabling it to handle aircraft like the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737.

These aircraft, commonly used by Indian carriers such as Air India, Akasa Air, IndiGo, and SpiceJet, offer seating capacities ranging from 140 to 215 passengers. The initial phase of the project would include the development of a new runway, designed to accommodate wide-body aircraft.The airport’s development plan includes the construction of a signal tower, security facilities, and an administrative building, in addition to the runway.

The first phase will focus on operating planes with around 100-passenger capacity, connecting Warangal to key domestic hubs, including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Tirupati, and Vijayawada, reports Hindustan Times.

The upgrades will comply with safety and technical standards outlined by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) under the Aircraft Act. Runway and approach lighting, as well as navigation and communication systems, will be established to ensure smooth operations.

According to officials, a master plan has been finalised for the operation of A320-type aircraft under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). The project has received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) as part of a concession agreement between Hyderabad International Airport Limited (HIAL) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

The agreement stipulates that no new or existing airport within 150 km of Hyderabad International Airport can operate as a domestic or international airport until the 25th anniversary of its opening.

Despite this, Mamnoor Airport’s strategic positioning, approximately 150 km from Warangal, aligns with the guidelines, allowing it to serve as a crucial aviation hub for the region.

Once domestic operations commence, the airport will undergo further enhancements to facilitate international passenger and cargo services, bringing Warangal into the global aviation network.

This development is expected to boost regional tourism, trade, and overall economic growth, solidifying Warangal’s position as a key player in the state’s aviation landscape.

The airport was constructed by seventh Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan in 1930 for the convenience of the Sirpur Kaghaznagar enterprises and the Azam Zahi mills in Warangal.

The Mamnoor airport with more than one terminal, was the largest such facility during the pre-independence era. At present, the airport has become defunct. However, Warangal has been on the list of proposed airstrips under UDAN, the regional airport connectivity programme.

It was used as a hangar for government aircraft during the India-China war because Delhi Airport was a prime target. From Mamnoor, there were a lot of freight flights and Vayudooth services.