Overview of Kota Greenfield Airport
For decades, residents of Kota and the broader Hadoti region have faced one major challenge: the absence of seamless air connectivity. Whether it was students traveling for exams, entrepreneurs flying for business, or tourists exploring Rajasthan, everyone had to rely on long train or road journeys to Jaipur, Udaipur, or Delhi to catch a flight.
That story is about to change with the Kota Greenfield Airport project—a transformative initiative that will reshape how Kota connects with the rest of India. This upcoming airport is not just another infrastructure project; it is a game-changer for travel, business, education, and tourism in Rajasthan.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything about the project from its location, design, and development stages to its economic benefits, impact on students and tourism, and future growth potential.
Why a New Airport Was Needed in Kota
Kota already had an airport, but it was outdated, undersized, and no longer fit for purpose. Here’s why:
Limited Land Area: Only 447.24 acres, leaving no scope for expansion.
Short Runway: Just 1131 m × 38 m, suitable only for small aircraft like the DO-228.
Tiny Terminal: Just 400 sq. m., handling only 50 passengers per hour.
No Commercial Flights: At present, no scheduled operations exist.
This meant Kota Airport was irrelevant in the modern aviation landscape. For a city known as India’s coaching hub and a growing industrial base, the lack of air connectivity was a severe disadvantage. The demand was clear: a new, world-class airport was essential.
Location of Kota Greenfield Airport
The new Greenfield Airport is being developed near Sakatpura village in Bundi district, strategically chosen to serve the entire Hadoti region, including:
- Kota – India’s education hub with over 3.5 lakh students.
- Bundi – Known for forts, palaces, and stepwells.
- Baran – A growing agro-based economy.
- Jhalawar – A center for industries and agriculture.
This location ensures balanced accessibility for all districts while also providing ample space (over 1250 acres) for future expansions.
Development Status of Kota Greenfield Airport
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the Government of Rajasthan are collaborating on the project. Land acquisition of 1250 acres was requested free of cost to ensure smooth development.
The project is divided into two phases:
Phase 1 (2025–2034)
- Runway: 2900 m × 45 m with paved shoulders, suitable for Airbus A321.
- Terminal Building: 15,000 sq. m. with 800 peak-hour passenger capacity.
- Apron: Parking for 3 A320/A321 aircraft.
- Air Traffic Control (ATC) Tower with modern facilities.
- Car Parking: Space for 250 vehicles.
- Civil & Electrical Works: Fully modernized passenger-friendly design.
Phase 2 (Post-2035 Expansion)
- Runway Extension: 3581 m × 45 m, supporting Code 4C operations with CAT-I landing system.
- Massive Apron Expansion: 15 additional parking stands.
- Cargo Terminal: 2,000 sq. m., handling up to 20,000 metric tons of cargo annually.
- Aviation Ecosystem: Space for MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul) facilities, flight training schools, and general aviation operations.
Projected Air Traffic & Growth
According to official forecasts:
- Base Year (2024-25): ~150,000 passengers and 2,200 aircraft movements.
- 2nd Year Growth: Passenger growth at 30%, aircraft movement growth at 25%.
- 10-Year Outlook (2034-35): ~840,000 passengers and 9,500+ aircraft movements.
This rapid growth reflects the pent-up demand for air travel in Kota and surrounding regions.
Economic Benefits of Kota Greenfield Airport
1. Massive Job Creation
- Direct Jobs: ~50,000 in airlines, airport management, security, logistics.
- Indirect Jobs: ~300,000 in hospitality, tourism, retail, real estate, and services.
2. Boost to Local Economy
- According to ICAO, every ₹100 spent on aviation generates ₹325 for the economy.
- New business opportunities for startups, exporters, and service providers.
3. Industrial & Cargo Growth
- Dedicated cargo terminal will benefit textile, agriculture, and stone industries in Kota and Bundi.
- Faster supply chains will make Hadoti more competitive in domestic and international markets.
4. Tourism Development
- Kota will be on the tourist map, thanks to:
- Kota Barrage & Chambal Garden
- Garadia Mahadev (India’s Grand Canyon)
- Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve
- Bundi Forts & Stepwells
- Expected demand for 20–25 new hotels to accommodate visitors.
5. Balanced Economy Beyond Coaching
While Kota is famous as the nation’s coaching capital, over-reliance on a single sector poses risks. The new airport will diversify the economy by strengthening tourism and industry.
Impact on Students & Education Sector
Kota is home to India’s largest coaching industry, with lakhs of students preparing for IIT-JEE, NEET, and other exams. The new airport will:
- Allow easy travel for students from across India.
- Provide quicker connectivity for parents visiting their children.
- Enable coaching institutes to host international-level seminars.
- Improve the global reputation of Kota as an education hub.
Tourism Potential with Kota Greenfield Airport
Rajasthan is already one of India’s most visited states, but Hadoti has remained underexplored due to poor connectivity. The new airport will change that by attracting:
- Domestic Tourists: Estimated 100,000 annually.
- International Tourists: Estimated 50,000 annually.
This will put Kota-Bundi-Jhalawar on par with destinations like Ranthambore and Udaipur, driving sustainable tourism-led development.
The Kota Greenfield Airport is more than an aviation project—it’s a symbol of progress and a catalyst for transformation. From solving decades-old connectivity issues to generating thousands of jobs, from boosting Kota’s tourism potential to strengthening its role as India’s education capital, the airport will reshape the future of the Hadoti region.
As the engines roar and the first flights take off, Kota will no longer just be known as the coaching hub of India—it will also be celebrated as a modern, globally connected city ready for the future.
FAQs About Kota Greenfield Airport
It is being developed near Sakatpura village in Bundi district, close to Kota city.
Phase 1 construction is targeted for completion by 2025–26, subject to timely land acquisition and approvals.
Kota airport is designed to handle Airbus A320 & A321 aircraft from Phase 1, and larger Code 4C aircraft post-Phase 2.
Yes. Cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Kolkata are expected to be directly connected.
It will unlock the tourism potential of Hadoti, including tiger reserves, palaces, stepwells, and Chambal ravines.
A total of 1250 acres has been earmarked for development.
Yes. Phase 2 will include a 2,000 sq. m. cargo terminal with a capacity of 20,000 MT annually.