🇮🇳 Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Airstrip

Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Airstrip (VA2B) in Meerut, India, is not currently operational for commercial passenger flights, therefore, no traveler reviews or experiences are available in the traditional sense. The airstrip is primarily used for non-scheduled chartered flights and is undergoing significant development and expansion to facilitate future commercial operations. The project aims to enhance regional connectivity for Meerut and Western Uttar Pradesh.

What Travelers Will Love (Potential Strengths/Benefits of Development):

• Enhanced Regional Connectivity: The development is intended to boost air travel accessibility in Meerut and Western Uttar Pradesh, potentially reducing pressure on Delhi's busy airport.
• Capacity for Larger Aircraft: Expansion plans are underway to upgrade the airstrip to accommodate 72-seater aircraft, such as ATR 72s, in its initial phase.
• Inclusion in UDAN Scheme: The airport has been identified for development under the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, which aims to make air travel affordable and accessible.
• Awarded Flight Routes: The Meerut-Lucknow-Meerut route has already been awarded to FlyBig for RCS (Regional Connectivity Scheme) flights using 19-seater aircraft, pending the airport's readiness and licensing.

Common Challenges/Setbacks (Implied Complaints/Obstacles):

• Land Acquisition Delays: Significant hurdles and delays have been encountered in acquiring the necessary land for the airport's expansion, with some land still under litigation.
• Unlicensed Status: The airport is currently an unlicensed airport for commercial flight operations.
• Delayed Project Completion: The development project has faced delays, with an earlier completion schedule for 2016 having been hampered by administrative issues.

While Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Airstrip is not yet open for commercial travel, substantial efforts are being made by the state government and the Airports Authority of India to develop it into a functional commercial airport. Once completed and licensed, it is expected to significantly improve air connectivity for the region.