🇮🇳 Sonari Airport

Sonari Airport (IATA: IXW, ICAO: VEJS), also known as Jamshedpur Airport, is a domestic airport situated in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India. Owned by Tata Steel, the airport is approximately 4.4 km (2.7 mi) from the city center and serves Jamshedpur and its surrounding regions.

Type of Facility and Operations: Sonari Airport is a public domestic airport that handles both domestic and private charter air services. While Tata Steel owns the facility, it is operated by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The airport is equipped with a single asphalt runway, designated 08/26, measuring 1,030 meters (3,380 feet) in length. Due to its runway length, it can accommodate aircraft no larger than 60-seater turboprops. The airport also hosts a flight training school and simulator center for commercial pilots.

Notable Features and History: Established in 1940 by the Tata Group, Sonari Airport is recognized as one of the earliest aerodromes in British India. Historically, it has served various airlines, including Kingfisher Airlines, MDLR Airlines, Vayudoot, and Indian Airlines, though commercial operations faced interruptions primarily due to runway limitations. The airport's expansion efforts are focused on enhancing safety and boundary security, as the current runway is landlocked by the city. A new, larger "Greenfield" airport project is proposed at Dhalbhumgarh to eventually replace Sonari Airport.

Current Status: After ceasing commercial operations in 2016, Sonari Airport received a license for public use on January 25, 2023, and officially reopened for commercial flights on January 31, 2023, under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme. Currently, IndiaOne Air operates scheduled flights connecting Jamshedpur to Kolkata and Bhubaneswar. Between April 2023 and March 2024, the airport recorded 9,939 passengers and 2,153 aircraft movements. The airport provides amenities such as baggage services, eating points, and duty-free shops.