Koirengei Airstrip

The closure for civilian use was due to the development and expansion of the nearby Tulihal Airport (VEI / IMF), which offered a longer runway, modern infrastructure, and better facilities capable of handling larger, modern aircraft like the Boeing 737. Koirengei's WWII-era infrastructure was insufficient for the growing demands of civil aviation. Following the transfer of all commercial operations, the site was fully repurposed for military use.

The site of the former Koirengei Airstrip is now a full-fledged military station and helipad. It is occupied by units of the Indian Army and the Assam Rifles. The original runway is no longer maintained for fixed-wing aircraft operations and is primarily used by military helicopters. The area is a high-security zone and is not accessible to the public. It is often referred to as the 'Koirengei Old Airfield'.

Koirengei Airstrip holds immense historical significance, primarily from World War II. It was constructed by the Allies in the early 1940s and served as a crucial forward airbase for the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) during the Burma Campaign. It played a pivotal role in the decisive Battle of Imphal (March–July 1944), which was a major turning point in the war against the Japanese. The airfield was instrumental in air supply operations, flying in reinforcements and evacuating casualties via C-47 Dakota aircraft. It also hosted fighter squadrons flying Hurricanes and Spitfires that provided air cover and ground support to the besieged Allied forces. After Indian independence, Koirengei served as the first and primary civil airport for Imphal and the state of Manipur for several decades, providing the main air link to the rest of the country before services were moved to the current international airport.

There are no known official plans or realistic prospects for reopening Koirengei Airstrip for civilian or commercial aviation. The state of Manipur is adequately served by the modern Bir Tikendrajit International Airport (VEI / IMF), which has undergone significant upgrades. Furthermore, the Koirengei site is now a strategically important and permanently established military installation, making its conversion back to a civilian airport highly improbable.