AAI has been making efforts to increase Regional & Remote Area air connectivity across the country. In this endeavour, AAI is planning to develop a civil enclave on the IAF Airfield at Purnia, Bihar. A team of AAI officers has undertaken a site visit to the Air Force Station recently. At present, the Air Force Station has a runway suitable for wide bodied aircrafts. The requirement of land for setting up of a civil enclave has been assessed by the team and will be taken up with the State Government.
Due to the strategic location of <g data-gr-id="19">Purnia</g>, the need for setting up of a civil enclave for <g data-gr-id="20">operation</g> of civil flights had been under consideration for the past two decades.
The nearest airport is located at Bagdogra at an aerial distance of 180 km, which at times, remains inaccessible for air traffic due to bad weather conditions. <g data-gr-id="18">Purnia</g> has an advantage. Due to its geographical location on a flat plateau, operations at this airport would not be affected by bad
weather conditions.