Did you know that the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, formerly known as Kolkata International Airport (DumDum Airport), is the biggest airport in eastern India? With over two million passengers passing through its gates each year, it’s no wonder that it’s also the busiest airport in India. Interestingly, DumDum Airport started commercial aviation all the way back in 1924! And in 1995, it was renamed to honor Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, a famous Indian freedom fighter. It’s amazing to think that the first motorized airplane was invented by the Wright brothers’ way back in 1903. And did you know that the first recorded flight to touch down at Kolkata (then Calcutta) was in 1910?
Introduction
Lesser-Known Historical Aspects of the Dumdum Airport
I find myself often jotting down rare facts about Kolkata International Airport, and I’ve noticed that some people may wonder why. But for me, it’s all about documenting this information to remember the past while planning for the future. Did you know that civil aviation is currently the fastest-growing aviation market worldwide? I came across this fascinating fact from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). It’s incredible to see how the aviation industry is evolving and expanding, and civil aviation is undoubtedly contributing significantly to this growth. By doing so, we can make sure that we’re on the right track for our socio-economic development. It’s important to have a clear understanding of where we’ve been and where we’re going, and I believe that by taking note of these facts and figures, we can do just that.
The Origins and Early Days
Did you know that Kolkata International Airport was once a major center for flights in India? While New Delhi and Mumbai are the airports that come to mind when thinking of India’s core airports, Kolkata was once a major hub that serviced flights from BOAC, Air France, ANA, Pan Am, and many others. It was once regarded as the gateway to eastern India. The first time that an aircraft took off from Calcutta was on December 28, 1910, when a Blériot monoplane flown by the Belgian Jules Tyck and a Farman biplane flown by a Belgian aviator, Baron Pierre de Caters, both took off from the Tolly Club golf course. The event was witnessed by approximately 15,000 people, as stated in an article dated November 10, 1912, by the event’s organizer, Ernest Esdaile, in Flight, the Royal Aero Club’s newsletter. I found it interesting to discover that India’s first recorded aircraft flight took place in 1911. What’s even more fascinating is that it seems like nobody talks about the fact that Tolly Club was the host of India’s first unofficial aircraft flight. It’s a bit strange, isn’t it?
Kolkata International Airport became a hub for international travel in the early 1900s due to its strategic position in eastern India. The city was an important stopover for flights from Spain, North America, Europe, East Asia, and Australia. KLM was the first airline to start operations in Calcutta with its Amsterdam-Calcutta-Jakarta flight. In the early years, Calcutta Aerodrome was mainly used as a stopover from Europe and North America to Batavia (now Jakarta) and Australia.In fact, the legendary American aviator Amelia Earhart passed through the airport during her around-the-world flight in 1937. During World War II, in 1942, the airport was used as a base for B-24 bomber operations and as a cargo hub.
Role During of Dumdum Airport World War II
During World War II, kolkata international airport, also known as Dum Dum Airport, played a significant role. The United States Army Air Forces 7th Bombardment Group flew B-24 Liberator bombers on combat missions over Burma from the airport in 1942. The history of this group is fascinating because it is a direct successor organization to the 7th Bombardment Group, which was established before World War II.
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The New Age of flying in India
After World War II, passenger services saw significant growth in kolkata international airport. In fact, in 1952, the British Overseas Airways Corporation made history by using the de Havilland Comet, which was the world’s first jet-powered aircraft, on their London-Calcutta route. Then, in 1964, Indian Airlines started the first domestic Indian jet service from Delhi to Calcutta. It’s amazing to see how far the aviation industry has come in such a relatively short amount of time!
Evolution of Air Travel in Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport Inside
The kolkata international airport continued to grow in importance in the following decades. Between the 1940s and 1960s, the airport became incredibly popular as a stopover hub for flights from all over the world. Airlines such as Aeroflot, Alitalia, Cathay Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Pan Am, and KLM all had flights that stopped in Kolkata. It was common for flights from Europe to Asia during this time to make anywhere from six to ten stops due to the limited flight range and capacity for passengers.
Imperative Significance of Kolkata International Airport
It’s fascinating to learn about the history of Calcutta Airport and how it evolved from a simple open field next to the Royal Artillery Armoury in Dum Dum to a bustling airport attracting pioneering flights. The Bengal Flying Club, opened by Sir Stanley Jackson, Governor of Bengal, in 1929, definitely played a significant role in its growth. It’s interesting to note that airlines such as Air Orient and Imperial Airways began making scheduled stops in Calcutta, further boosting its importance. However, the most notable stopover was made by Amelia Earhart, the legendary pilot, during her attempt to circumnavigate the globe. It’s unfortunate that she and her navigator, Fred Noonan, disappeared over the central Pacific Ocean near Howland Island just a fortnight later.
Modern Developments and Future Prospects of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport Front
After the introduction of the 747, the hub’s reputation took a huge hit. Political conditions in the state and the India-Pakistan war of the 1970s further tarnished the city’s image. Over the next decades, most airlines ceased to use Kolkata as an airport stopover hub, and the city continued to function as a major trading hub. As a result, some airlines continued to operate direct services to Kolkata. In the early 2000s, the airport lost most of its important international routes to cities like London and was in a state of decline. The airport underwent a complete renovation in the late 2000s and now has a new and expanded terminal. Kolkata Airport may regain some importance shortly. The low-cost giant IndiGo is rapidly expanding its operations from the airport and is using it as the hub for all its routes in East Asia. The carrier flies from Kolkata to Vietnam and Cambodia, as well as Hong Kong and China, and is looking to grow. The airport itself is making an effort to attract major airlines such as Anadolu Air and British Airways. Kolkata might be a lost hub, but it may just find prominence once again.
Conclusion
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport(kolkata international airport) was awarded the best airport in the Asia-Pacific region in 2014 and 2015. The 2019-2020 report shows that Kolkata airport handles an average of 19.5 million domestic passengers plus 3.5 million international passengers, for a total of 22 million passengers annually. The number of passengers at Kolkata Airport has increased by about 0.6% annually since 2020. Dum Dum Airport has now become the fifth busiest airport in India. Kolkata Airport is regaining its lost pride.
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport latest development Details
The Kolkata airport is planning to get bigger in the next few years. They’re going to use all the unused space in the terminals and build a small building extension; new lounge in Kolkata international airport can be extended which will help them handle more passengers. They’re also planning to increase the runway capacity from 35 to 45 flights an hour, and adding new taxiways to make take-offs easier. Plus, they’re planning to add new and bigger boarding areas and gates.
Encore Audio Visual of Kolkata International Airport
FAQ
How to Reach
You can reach here in many ways, either from Esplanade by public bus, by hired cab (ola, uber, yellow taxi cab) and by train too. If you want to avail train you just get down on following nearest rail stations Dum Dum Junction railway station, Durganagar railway station and Dum Dum Cantonment railway station.
Contact Number:
033-2511 8036/ 033-25119675/ 033-25119226
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport – Quick Facts
| Airport Name | Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport |
| Kolkata Airport Address | Jessore Road, Dum Dum, Kolkata, West Bengal |
| Kolkata Airport Code | CCU |
| Airport Type | Public |
| Airport Pin Code | 700052 |
| Coordinates | 22°39′17″N 088°26′48″E |
| Elevation AMSL | 5 m / 16 ft |
| Opened | 1924 |
| Status | Operational |
| Distance from City Centre | 12 km |
| Owner | Airports Authority of India |
| Number of Terminals | 3 |
| Parking Facility | Available |
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