Lengpui Airport is a domestic airport serving Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram, India. Located in Lengpui within the Mamit district, the airport lies approximately 32 km north of Aizawl. It offers flights connecting to Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Imphal and Silchar. Notably, Lengpui Airport is the first in India to be constructed by a State Government. The airport is also known as Aizawl Airport or Aizawl–Lengpui Airport, reflecting its role in serving Aizawl.

History

The airport was constructed at a cost of ₹ 979 crore, and was completed in a record time of two years and two months. The construction work started in December 1995 and completed in February 1998. The airport was expected to be able to cater to 300 incoming and outgoing passengers. Before the construction of this airport, Aizawl was 130 km from the nearest railway head at Bairabi and 205 km from the nearest airport at Silchar. With regards to land acquisition, it has been found out that about 65 percent of the area acquired, belonged to some high government officials and political leaders at Aizawl, who started buying plots from people in Lengpui village at very low prices. They then donated the land to the government for the airport for which the rich persons got much more compensation as donors than the actual farmers. Previously, the airport was also served by Air Deccan which later became Kingfisher Red, but the airline stopped operating from the airport in April 2012.

Technical details

The 2,500-metre runway of the Lengpui airport is unique in that it has many hilly streams running underneath. The airport is one of the airports in India that has a table top runway (others being Kozhikode, Shimla, Mangalore) which creates an optical illusion that requires a very precise approach from the pilot. At present, Lengpui Airport has installed a Cat I instrument landing system, which helps planes land safely during low-visibility conditions. A runway safety area and isolation parking bay are also planned. The Indian Air Force is planning to station at least 4 jet fighters at Lengpui airport. Indian Oil handles the aviation fuel service department of Lengpui airport.

Renovation

Starting from 21 April 2021, Lengpui Airport is currently underway under a renovation project that will result in an upgraded terminal and an elevated roadway. The programme ‘Improvement/Upgradation of Operational/Non-Operational facilities of Lengpui Airport’ is being funded under North East Special Infrastructure Development Schemes (NESIDS) and the Special Central Assistance (SCA) at a cost of Rs. 19.59 crores.

Airlines and destinations

Statistics

Top flights

Helicopter Service

A Helicopter service by Pawan Hans operating in Lengpui connects Aizawl with Lunglei, Lawngtlai, Siaha, Chawngte, Serchhip, Champhai, Kolasib, Khawzawl, Mamit and Hnahthial.

Accidents and incidents