Agartala Airport (IXA) – Complete Flight Information & Travel Guide

This airport holds significant importance in the North-East region. It is the second busiest airport in North-East India after Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport in Guwahati. It is also ranked as the 29th busiest airport in India. 

In addition, it is the third international airport in North-East India, after Guwahati and Imphal. Because of this ranking and growing passenger movement, the airport has undergone major upgrades in recent years.

Understanding its present importance becomes easier when we look at its historical background.

The airport was originally designed and built in 1942 by Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur Debbarman, the then ruler of Tripura. At that time, the airport had a primary runway numbered 05/23. Today, that runway is used as a taxiway while the main operational runway is 18/36.

During World War II, the airport played an important strategic role. In February and March 1943, the Royal Air Force’s No. 31 and No. 194 Squadrons used the airport as a supply base for the Chindit operations behind enemy lines in Burma. These squadrons returned again in February 1944 to support the second Chindit operation.

Later, in December 1944 and January 1945, the 4th Combat Cargo Group of the United States Army Air Forces Tenth Air Force operated from this airport. They flew Curtiss C-46 Commando transport aircraft over Burma. After January 1945, the group shifted operations to Chittagong.

Because of this wartime usage, the airport holds historical and strategic significance in addition to its civilian importance.

Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport experienced international flight operations in earlier decades as well. Indian Airlines operated flights from Agartala to Dhaka-Tejgaon Airport and Jessore which were then located in East Pakistan and later became part of Bangladesh.

These early international operations showed that Agartala had cross-border connectivity even before its recent international upgrade. This foundation later supported its development into a modern international airport.

The Airports Authority of India undertook a major upgrade project worth ₹438 crore to bring the airport up to international standards. For this project, the State Government provided 72 acres of land to the Airports Authority of India for constructing a new terminal building, runway upgrades and supporting infrastructure.

The new integrated terminal building was completed and inaugurated on 4 January 2022 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Although the full upgrade project is expected to be completed by 2025, the terminal is already operational.

After becoming operational as an upgraded international facility, the airport is expected to handle flights from Agartala to Chittagong. There is also a proposal to operate flights to Singapore in the future.

These upgrades have significantly improved the airport’s capacity and facilities which can be clearly seen in its infrastructure.

The current integrated terminal is designed to handle increasing passenger traffic efficiently. It includes:

• 20 check-in counters that allow smooth passenger processing during peak hours.

• 6 parking bays where aircraft can be stationed safely before departure or after arrival.

• 4 aerobridges that allow passengers to board aircraft directly without using buses.

• Conveyor belt systems that assist in efficient baggage handling.

• An In-Line Baggage System (ILBS) that improves security and screening of checked baggage.

• Escalators and lifts that help passengers move comfortably within the terminal building.

These facilities ensure that passengers experience modern infrastructure comparable to other major airports in the region

In addition to the new terminal building, a new parallel taxiway and two new hangars are also under construction. These additions will support aircraft movement and maintenance operations more efficiently.

One of the most unique proposals related to Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport is the plan for cross-border expansion with Bangladesh.

There is a proposal to build another terminal as an extension of the airport across the border with Bangladesh. This terminal would allow Bangladeshi passengers to access the airport without entering Indian territory.

This concept is similar to the Cross Border Xpress terminal of Tijuana International Airport which operates along the United States - Mexico border. The Indian government has also suggested leasing land from Bangladesh for installing perimeter fencing and landing lights.

Bangladeshi officials have compared the idea to Geneva Airport which is accessible from both Switzerland and France. 

However, ministers in Bangladesh have suggested that such a proposal would be politically acceptable only if implemented as a joint venture. This proposal, if realised, could reduce heavy passenger and cargo traffic at Dhaka Airport while strengthening regional connectivity.

Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport currently operates flights through several major airlines.

• Air India Express operates flights to Kolkata and Siliguri.

• Akasa Air connects Agartala with Bengaluru and Guwahati.

• IndiGo operates flights to Ahmedabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Dibrugarh, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Imphal, Kolkata and Silchar.

Because of this wide network, the airport connects Tripura with major cities across India.

Being the second busiest airport in North-East India after Guwahati, Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport plays a vital role in regional connectivity. It connects the state of Tripura not only with major Indian cities but also strengthens international possibilities through Bangladesh and future routes like Singapore.

Its ranking as the third international airport in North-East India highlights its growing importance in aviation infrastructure.

Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport has grown from a wartime airfield established in 1942 into a modern international airport that now serves Tripura and the wider North-East connect Agartala to cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Guwahati, travellers need a simple and reliable way to book their flights.

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