Parliament Question: Development of Chakeri Airport

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 6406 ( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2nd April 2026 ) DEVELOPMENT OF CHAKERI AIRPORT 6406. SHRI RAMESH AWASTHI Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has assessed the existing infrastructure capacity of Chakeri Airport in Kanpur in view of the increasing number of air passengers in the country and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether the Government has any proposal for the expansion of Chakeri Airport including new terminal, runway upgradation and operation of additional flights and if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government proposes to start new domestic and international flights to provide better air connectivity between Kanpur and other major metropolitan cities of the country considering the industrial, educational and tourism importance of Kanpur; and (d) if so, the details thereof along with the action taken thereon so far and the proposed timeline fixed in this regard? ANSWER Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol) (a) and (b) : Expansion and development of airports is carried out by Airports Authority of India (AAI) and other airport operators based on passenger demand, operational requirements and airline demand. Such development works are carried out in phases, subject to availability of land, financial viability and operational considerations at airports. Kanpur (Chakeri) Airport has been developed under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)-UDAN to enhance regional air connectivity, with a capital expenditure of Rs.134.79 crore.; ; (c) and (d) : Kanpur (Chakeri) Airport is a domestic airport. Declaration of an airport as an International Airport depends upon traffic potential, demand from airlines for the operation of international flights, and bilateral Air Services Agreement besides the provision of Ground Lighting facilities, Instrument Landing System, runway length, Immigration, Health and Animal & Plant Quarantine services etc.; ; Further, following the repeal of the Air Corporations Act in March 1994, the domestic aviation sector was deregulated, enabling airlines to independently plan, operate, and select the networks they wish to serve. Consequently, the commencement, continuation, or suspension of air services at any airport is at the discretion of the airlines.; ******