The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Uttarakhand government to officially take over the management and development of Naini Saini Airport in Pithoragarh. The agreement was signed on Sunday in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the statehood silver jubilee celebrations held at the Forest Research Institute (FRI) in Dehradun.
The MoU marks a major step towards strengthening air connectivity in the hilly regions of Uttarakhand. Under the agreement, AAI will be responsible for upgrading the airport’s facilities, modernising its infrastructure, and ensuring that it meets national aviation standards. The move is expected to bring significant benefits to the state’s tourism, trade, and regional development.
The Naini Saini Airport, spread across about 70 acres, is located in the scenic Kumaon region, close to the India-Nepal border. It is seen as a vital link for connecting remote districts of the state with major cities in North India.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who was present during the signing ceremony, described the partnership as a milestone in the state’s journey toward improved connectivity and economic growth. He said that better air services would help boost not only tourism but also employment and investment opportunities in the region.
Officials explained that the airport’s terminal building can handle around 40 passengers at peak hours, while its apron—the area where planes are parked, loaded, or refuelled—can accommodate two Code-2B aircraft at a time. These are smaller regional aircraft that typically operate on short-distance routes connecting tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
Following the acquisition, AAI plans to upgrade and expand the airport’s existing infrastructure. The improvements will include better passenger facilities, safety systems, and operational equipment. These upgrades are expected to make Naini Saini Airport compliant with modern aviation requirements and capable of handling increased passenger traffic in the coming years.
Authorities said the initiative will help enhance regional air connectivity, particularly between Pithoragarh, Dehradun, and Delhi. It will also make it easier for visitors and locals to travel to the remote Kumaon hills, which are known for their natural beauty and religious destinations such as Kailash Mansarovar, Jageshwar, and Patal Bhuvaneshwar.
The airport’s expansion is also expected to support tourism and trade in Uttarakhand. Improved accessibility could lead to a rise in visitors to the state’s lesser-known destinations, creating new opportunities for local businesses, hotels, and transport operators. The government believes that better connectivity will also boost education, healthcare, and hospitality sectors, especially in the interior regions.
Officials highlighted that the project will not only promote economic growth but also improve the state’s disaster-response capabilities. Since the airport is strategically located in the Himalayan zone, it can serve as a key base for emergency relief operations during natural disasters such as floods or landslides, which often affect the hilly areas of Uttarakhand.
Naini Saini Airport already plays an important role in connecting different parts of the state. It was officially linked to Delhi in November 2024 through a commercial flight operated by Alliance Air. The airport also has a daily 19-seater aircraft service between Dehradun and Pithoragarh, run by Heritage Aviation. Additionally, Pawan Hans operates helicopter services from Naini Saini to Pantnagar and Haldwani, making it one of the few airports in India to offer both fixed-wing and helicopter operations.
With AAI now taking over, operations are expected to become smoother and more efficient. The authority’s experience in managing airports across India will help bring better technical expertise, safety practices, and maintenance standards to Naini Saini.
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Officials said that the focus will also be on improving passenger experience by upgrading amenities such as waiting areas, check-in counters, and baggage facilities. The long-term plan includes expanding the runway to accommodate larger aircraft and introducing more regular commercial flights linking Pithoragarh with other parts of the country.
Prime Minister Modi, during the event, spoke about Uttarakhand’s potential to become a global spiritual and tourism hub. He emphasised that the state’s focus on infrastructure development, including roads, railways, and airports, would open new doors for sustainable progress and job creation.
The development of Naini Saini Airport fits into the Centre’s regional connectivity scheme (UDAN), which aims to make air travel affordable and accessible to smaller towns and cities across India. The airport’s upgrade will strengthen Uttarakhand’s position as one of the key destinations under this scheme.
Tourism officials noted that easier air access to Pithoragarh would likely attract more domestic and international travellers to explore the high Himalayan valleys and pilgrimage routes. The move is also expected to reduce travel time for residents of the region, who currently depend on long road journeys through difficult mountain terrain.
The AAI takeover is thus being seen as a transformational move for Uttarakhand’s air network. It promises to connect remote mountain districts with India’s main cities, enhance disaster management, and support long-term socio-economic development.
With the signing of this MoU, Uttarakhand has taken another step towards fulfilling its vision of balanced regional growth—linking progress with sustainability and accessibility.
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