🇮🇳 Akola Airport

## Akola Airport (VAAK/AKD): A Brief Factual Summary

Akola Airport (IATA: AKD, ICAO: VAAK), also known as Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Domestic Airport, is a public airport situated in Akola, Maharashtra, India. It is owned by the Government of Maharashtra and operated by the Airports Authority of India (AAI).

Type of Facility and Operations: The airport is classified as a public facility. Historically, airlines such as Vayudoot and Span Aviation operated from Akola. Currently, the airport is largely non-functional for public use, with no regular public airplane services available. However, it does provide ground handling services for general aviation. The existing infrastructure includes a terminal building capable of handling 50 passengers, PAPI lights, and basic navigational systems. Its runway, measuring 1,400 meters (4,600 feet) in length, is composed of part concrete and part asphalt or bitumen-bound macadam, allowing for operations by smaller aircraft like ATR-42s. The airport covers an area of 196 acres (79 hectares) and has a 90-meter by 100-meter apron that can accommodate two Fokker F27-sized aircraft.

Notable Features and History: Akola Airport was constructed in 1943 by the Public Works Department. It was later developed in 2008 with an estimated cost of ₹25 crore, which included a new terminal building, a fire station, and an air traffic control block. The runway was extended to 4,600 feet (1,400 meters) during this development, and a precision approach path indicator (PAPI) and non-directional beacon (NDB) navigation system were added. The airport is named after Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh, India's first State Agriculture Minister.

Current Status: As of the current information, Akola Airport is largely considered non-functional for public use, lacking regular commercial flight services. However, there are plans for significant expansion. In November 2025, the state government approved ₹208.76 crore for acquiring an additional 22.24 hectares of land to extend the runway from 1,400 meters to 1,800 meters (5,900 feet). This expansion aims to upgrade the airport's classification from Code 3C to accommodate larger aircraft, thereby enhancing regional air connectivity. The Airports Authority of India has requested this additional land from the State government to facilitate this runway extension.