The airport authority has agreed to make necessary arrangements for starting international flights from Raja Bhoj Airport. The authority has also made arrangements for a place to open the immigration counter.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had recently talked about making Bhopal airport international in the 23rd meeting of the Central Zonal Council during his stay in Bhopal. It is believed that now Raja Bhoj Airport will be developed in line with the International Airport.
The new integrated terminal has been constructed as per international standards in 2011. The International Wing was also constructed along with the integrated terminal building. A place has also been earmarked for developing security check area, duty free shop, smoking zone and shopping area. Some modifications will have to be made in the lounge when international flights start. The authority has also agreed to this.
Recently, a team from the Immigration Section of the Union Home Ministry and the Ministry of Civil Aviation inspected the airport and inspected the proposed place for customs counter. According to Acting Airport Director Amrit Minj, we are ready to provide the rest of the necessary facilities as soon as the schedule of international flights is released. The Civil Aviation Department has also given in-principle consent for the custom clearance.
The most sought after international route from Bhopal is for UAE flights. Efforts are being made for a long time to run Air India's Indore to Dubai flight via Bhopal. If initially it is operated even twice a week, then Raja Bhoj Airport will get international status. From the point of view of tourism, the need to connect Singapore flight with Bhopal and Indore is also felt. At present, people of Bhopal go to Singapore via Mumbai, Delhi or Hyderabad.
