**Policy Summary: Development of Fursatganj Airport**
This document summarizes the current status and planned development of Fursatganj Airport (also referred to as Fursatganj Airfield) in Amethi district, Uttar Pradesh, as of August 21, 2025. The information is provided in response to questions raised in Lok Sabha regarding the airport's development timeline, service commencement, infrastructure projects, and upgrades to the co-located Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA).
**Key Points:**
* **UDAN Scheme:** Fursatganj airstrip was identified for development and to operate RCS flights under the UDAN 4.1 scheme. RCS-UDAN is a market-based scheme with periodic bidding rounds to expand connectivity to unserved and underserved airstrips. Airlines submit proposals based on demand assessment on particular routes.
* **Infrastructure Development:** The construction of the terminal building and apron at Fursatganj Airport has been completed. A total of Rs. 22.88 crores has been invested in the development of the airport under the UDAN scheme to date.
* **Airport Expansion and Upgradation:** Expansion and upgradation of airports is an ongoing process undertaken by Airport Operators, depending on land availability, commercial viability, socio-economic considerations, traffic demand and airlines' willingness to operate.
* **Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA):** IGRUA, established in 1986 under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, has been upgraded with seven-day flying operations, with an additional base at Birsi Airport, Gondia. A budget of Rs. 25 crores has been allocated in FY 2024-25 for acquiring new trainer aircraft.
**Reasons for Delay:**
The commencement of full-fledged services, such as direct flights to Delhi-NCR areas, is dependent on airlines submitting valid bids based on demand assessment and the operational readiness of the airport under the UDAN scheme.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The government ministry responsible for civil aviation in India.
Fursatganj Airport: An airport located in Amethi district of Uttar Pradesh, India. Also referred to as Fursatganj Airfield.
Amethi district, Uttar Pradesh: The district and state where Fursatganj Airport is located.
DelhiNCR: National Capital Region of Delhi. Mentioned in the context of direct flights to the area.
Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA): A flight training school established in 1986, colocated with the Fursatganj Airfield.
UDAN 4.1: A round of bidding under the UDAN scheme, aimed at developing the Fursatganj airstrip.
RCS-UDAN: Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) - Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN), a market-based scheme to expand connectivity to unserved and underserved airstrips.
Birsi Airport, Gondia: An airport in Gondia, where Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi has an additional base.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 4789
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 21st August 2025 )
DEVELOPMENT OF FURSATGANJ AIRPORT
4789. SHRI KISHORI LAL
PROF SOUGATA RAY
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) the expected timeline fixed for the completion of Fursatganj Airport or Fursatganj Airfield
in Amethi district of Uttar Pradesh;
(b) the reasons for the undue delay in commencing full-fledged services such as direct flights
to Delhi-NCR areas;
(c) whether the Government has outlined targeted infrastructure projects or specific air
infrastructure development projects;
(d) if so, the details thereof along with the airports included in such projects; and
(e) the details of the steps taken so far to upgrade the infrastructural facilities and academic
standards of Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi, a flight training school established in
1986 and co-located with the airfield under the Government?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar
Mohol)
(a) to (d): The Fursatganj airstrip was identified for development and to operate RCS flights
under UDAN 4.1 round of bidding.
RCS-UDAN in an ongoing market-based Scheme wherein bidding rounds are conducted
periodically to expand connectivity to unserved and underserved airstrips. Airlines submit
proposals based on demand assessment on a particular route during the bidding round. Valid
bids are awarded for the operationalisation of routes under the Scheme post-readiness of
airports.;;
The construction of the terminal building and apron at Fursatganj Airport has been
completed. An amount of Rs. 22.88 crores has been incurred till date for the development of
the airport under the UDAN scheme.
The expansion and upgradation of airports is a continuous process and is undertaken by the
Airport Operators from time to time, depending on the availability of land, commercial
viability, socio-economic considerations, traffic demand/willingness of airlines to operate
to/from such airports.(e): Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA), set up in 1986 under the Ministry of
Civil Aviation, has been upgraded with:
-Seven-day flying operations, with an additional base at Birsi Airport, Gondia.
-Budget allocation of Rs. 25 crores in FY 2024-25 for acquiring new trainer aircraft.
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