Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar – Nagpur Airport (NAG)

Nagpur Airport, officially called Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, is one of the main airports in Maharashtra. It is located in Sonegaon, about 8 km from the center of Nagpur city. Spread over 1,355 acres, this airport is an important travel hub in central India and serves thousands of passengers every day.
BackGround History
This airport has a long and interesting history. It was first built during World War I (1917-1918) for the Royal Flying Corps, and later used during World War II by the Royal Air Force. After India gained independence, it was handed over to the Indian government. In 1953, new terminal buildings were added to support the growing number of travellers.
In 2005, the airport was renamed in honour of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution. Since then, the airport has seen many upgrades and improvements.
Airport Details
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Airport Name – Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport
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IATA Code – NAG
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ICAO Code – VANP
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Airport Type – Public
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Owner – Airports Authority of India (AAI)
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Operator – GMR Group & MIHAN India Pvt Ltd (MIPL)
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Location – Sonegaon, Nagpur, Maharashtra
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Elevation – 315 meters above sea level
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Coordinates – 21°05′32″N, 79°02′50″E
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Parking Bays – 18 bays for aircraft and car parking for 600 vehicles
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Focus City For – IndiGo Airlines
Passenger Traffic and Connectivity
Nagpur Airport handles around 8,500 passengers every day. It has both domestic and international flights. The airport connects to 14 domestic destinations like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. On the international front, it connects to places like Sharjah and Doha. Four domestic and two international airlines operate from this airport.
It also shares its space with the Indian Air Force Station, making it a significant location for both civilian and military use.
Terminal and Infrastructure
The airport has one terminal with two aerobridges. The terminal building covers 17,500 square meters and can manage 550 passengers during peak hours. It includes:
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20 check-in counters
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20 immigration counters
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Visual docking guidance system
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Baggage conveyor belts
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Car parking for up to 600 cars
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A dedicated approach road that links the terminal to the main city road
A major part of the airport’s future development is under the MIHAN (Multimodal International Hub Airport at Nagpur) project. This plan includes a second runway, a modern cargo complex, and a new terminal building. A new control tower with advanced navigation systems is also in the pipeline.
Facilities and Services
Nagpur Airport offers a variety of services to ensure a comfortable experience for travelers:
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Free Wi-Fi
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ATMs and Currency Exchange Counters
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Medical Assistance and a Pharmacy
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Baby Care Facilities
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Information Desks
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Smoking Zones
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Wheelchair-accessible facilities
Baggage Help – Free trolley services are available for passengers. Escorts are also present to help with luggage. Baggage is scanned using X-ray machines for security.
Lounges – There are two Travel Club Lounges (Domestic and International) and a Plaza Premium Lounge in the Domestic Terminal for passengers who want extra comfort while waiting.
Shopping and Dining – The terminal has several shops for books, clothing, and jewellery. Brands like Mufti, Pavers England, Relay, and Tribes India Store are present here. There are also cafes and eateries open round the clock, offering snacks and meals. A few shops are also located outside the terminal.
Duty-Free Shopping – International travellers can shop for duty-free items at the airport’s dedicated stores.
Hotels Near Nagpur Airport
If you are flying in or out of Nagpur, there are several good hotels nearby:
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Radisson Blu Hotel – 3.2 km away, 5-star
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The Pride Hotel – 1.1 km away, 5-star
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The Onyx – 2.6 km away, 3-star
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Urban Hermitage – 1.2 km away, 3-star
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The Majestic Manor – 1.5 km away, 3-star
Real Estate Projects Near Airport
There are also a few residential projects close to the airport that may interest investors or new home buyers:
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Atharva Nagari 8 (Pipla): 5.3 km away, prices from ₹50.3 lakh to ₹62.1 lakh
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Nakshatra Apartment (Bel Tarodi): 13 km away, prices from ₹54.3 lakh to ₹90.6 lakh
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Dream Oasis (Pipla): 5.3 km away, prices from ₹37.7 lakh to ₹40.8 lakh
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Mauli Nagar 19 (Jamtha): 10.8 km away, prices from ₹26.5 lakh to ₹2.87 crore
Transport and Accessibility
By Road – The airport is well-connected to the city through the P.V. Narasimha Rao Expressway.
By Metro – The nearest metro stop is Airport South Metro Station, located about 2 km from the airport.
By Bus – Bus number 336 connects the airport with the city. The nearest bus stop, Sonegaon H.B. Estate, is about a 29-minute walk from the terminal.
By Rail – Nagpur Junction Railway Station is 10.4 km away.
Cab Services – Both Ola and Uber operate in Nagpur. They offer options like autos, bikes, mini cabs, and larger vehicles. Ola also has a branch office in Subhash Nagar.
What’s New?
As of April 21, 2025, big changes are coming to the airport. The GMR Group is all set to take over operations from Mihan India Ltd (MIL), a joint venture between AAI and Maharashtra Airport Development Company. The official handover is expected to happen in the first week of May 2025.
For now, no major construction is planned immediately after the takeover. The focus will be on improving passenger services and upgrading the existing airport setup. Any large expansions will be taken up later after careful analysis.
Nagpur Airport has grown from a small wartime airfield to a major airport in central India. With its growing list of destinations, modern facilities, and strong future plans under MIHAN, it is well on its way to becoming a global air hub. Whether you are a traveller, investor, or resident, Nagpur Airport plays a key role in connecting people and boosting the city’s growth.