Maharashtra Pushes To Open Latur & Baramati Airports For All-Weather Flight Operations

The Maharashtra Airport Development Company Ltd. (MADC) has begun plans to transform the airstrips at Latur and Baramati into fully operational airports capable of handling all-weather flights. The state's goal is to enable night landings and the ability to accommodate turboprop aircraft. MADC is seeking consulting firms to oversee the transformation, which includes everything from engineering plans to construction supervision.

The project aims to upgrade both airports to handle Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flights, allowing safe take-offs and landings even in poor visibility or bad weather. Additionally, there are plans to accommodate larger 70-to-80-seater turboprop aircraft to make the airports more commercially viable. Latur Airport currently has a 1,700m runway and Baramati Airport has a 1,770m runway, both of which will be extended as part of the modernization plans.

The upgrade will require a total investment of Rs 56 crore for Latur and Rs 64 crore for Baramati. The consultant will be responsible for planning, designing, and preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for all structural and operational improvements. This will include upgrading runways, taxiways, and safety areas, as well as constructing new passenger terminals, VIP lounges, and ATC towers.

The work will be carried out in two phases, with the first six months dedicated to planning and design, and the next 18 months allocated for construction. Once completed, the upgraded airports are expected to boost regional trade, facilitate smoother charter services, and better connect Latur and Baramati to the national aviation network.