Madhya Pradesh is all set to witness a significant leap in regional air connectivity, as the newly developed Datia and Satna airports have received operational licenses and are now ready for take-off. The state aviation department is currently seeking a time slot from the Prime Minister’s Office to schedule the formal inauguration, likely to be conducted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
With the addition of these two airports, the total number of operational airports in the state will rise to eight, joining the existing hubs in Bhopal, Indore, Rewa, Khajuraho, Jabalpur, and Gwalior. This expansion is expected to not only improve flight frequency within the state but also enhance accessibility for tourists and investors alike.
A senior official from the aviation department expressed urgency in starting operations: “We want operation of both Datia and Satna airports to start at the earliest.”
The Datia airport is equipped to handle ATR-72 aircraft, typically used for short-haul regional flights. Satna airport, on the other hand, has been designed for aircraft with a capacity of around 20 passengers. Notably, there were earlier speculations that the Prime Minister might virtually inaugurate the Satna airport during his visit to the Global Investors Summit (GIS) in Bhopal in February, but the plan was eventually postponed.
Satna airport had secured its operational license earlier, while Datia received clearance just last month.
These developments come under the Union government’s ambitious UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, which aims to enhance regional air travel across the country. Under this scheme, seven more small airports have been proposed in Madhya Pradesh, in the districts of Shivpuri, Ujjain, Shahdol, Mandla, Chhindwara, Neemuch, and Khandwa. These airports will cater to 20-seater aircraft, improving connectivity in underserved and remote regions.
Sources indicate that land acquisition processes are already underway, and airstrip expansions are being planned. Construction work at the Shivpuri and Ujjain airports is expected to begin soon, paving the way for further infrastructure development in the aviation sector.
The growing network of airports in Madhya Pradesh is seen as a vital step toward transforming the state into a more accessible, investment-friendly, and tourist-attractive destination.
