Darbhanga airport gets defence nod for pilot training institute, BJP MP hails move

The Union defence ministry recently granted a no-objection certificate (NOC) for setting up a pilot training institute at Darbhanga airport, according to a letter from the Bihar government's civil aviation department dated November 5. The decision, which came following a request from the state government on September 1, marks a significant step forward in the establishment of a Flying Training Organisation (FTO) at the airport.

Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary had directed the civil aviation department to take necessary actions for the FTO's development in April 2023, following which the defence ministry issued its clearance on September 1.

Bihar MP Gopal Jee Thakur, who chairs the Darbhanga airport advisory committee and serves as BJP's Lok Sabha whip, hailed the development as a significant milestone for Mithila and north Bihar. He stated that the proposed commercial pilot training institute would generate employment opportunities and provide aviation training to the state's youth, reducing their need to seek training in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru.

Thakur also highlighted the completion of 90 acres of land acquisition for the runway expansion, which is planned to increase from 9,000 feet to 12,000 feet. Additionally, a revised administrative approval of ₹225.91 crore has been granted for the development of a logistics park and cargo hub near the airport, aiming to strengthen the region's trade and agricultural economy.

The proposal comes in the wake of the launch of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's regional connectivity scheme, UDAN, which enabled commercial flight operations at Darbhanga airport since November 8, 2020.