From Bose landing to BelugaXL, looking back at Kolkata airport’s 100-year journey

With connections to 64 destinations, including 15 international hubs, the airport serves as a vital gateway, facilitating trade, tourism, and the movement of people.

From those early days of tentative landings, Kolkata's airport – now called the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport – has witnessed the rise of commercial aviation, connecting the city to the world. (Photo - Wikimedia Commons)

In 1924, Dum Dum in Kolkata became the site of a daring feat: it became the site of an aeroplane landing with a trail of flickering torches guiding the flight across the grass runway. This moment marked the arrival of the first scheduled flight which set the stage for the city’s ascent as a major aviation hub.

Fast-forward a century, and the landscape has transformed. The modest aerodrome has evolved into a bustling airport, welcoming aircraft of increasing size and sophistication.

From those early days of tentative landings, Kolkata’s airport – now called the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport – has witnessed the rise of commercial aviation, connecting the city to the world.

The scale

With connections to 64 destinations, including 15 international hubs, the airport serves as a vital gateway, facilitating trade, tourism, and the movement of people.

Things have come full circle with the arrival of the Airbus BelugaXL, a colossal cargo aircraft, at the airport recently. This behemoth, known for its distinctive whale-like shape, signifies the airport’s capacity to handle even the most demanding cargo operations.

Since 2014, it has witnessed a significant surge in activity, with daily aircraft movements soaring from 264 to 400 and passenger traffic doubling.

The airport, which covers 1566.3 acres and has a built-up area of 2,30,000 square metres, can serve 26 million passengers annually. In the 1940s and 1960s, it emerged as a popular stopover hub, handling flights from Aeroflot, Air France, Alitalia, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Philippine Airlines, KLM, Pan Am, Lufthansa, Swissair, and SAS on routes from Europe to Asia.

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The history

The airport is also the site of Bose’s arrival from Austria in 1938.

“In 1938, when Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose first landed here, imagine how it would have been,” said Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu during a visit to the airport last week. “As we celebrate its 100 years, I sincerely hope we are led to Netaji’s grand vision for the city of Bengal and India, transforming what initially began as a small, modest airstrip right here in Dum Dum to one of the busiest airports. When I look at the journey of Kolkata Airport, it deeply resonates with the journey of India’s civil aviation sector.”

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The airport has been part of many milestones in India’s aviation journey. In 1929, it hosted the Bengal Flying Club; it became one of the first jet service hubs in 1964; and opened its first dedicated airline cargo terminal in 1975.

It was renamed after Bose in 1995, and its New Integrated Terminal was inaugurated in 2013 to cement its status as the gateway to East and Northeast India.

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Big plans

Several initiatives are planned to mark the 100-year celebrations – from a commemorative stamp and coin to an art book showcasing India’s cultural heritage reflected in modern airport architecture. The three-month celebrations will also include an exhibition of the airport’s history, cultural events, craft fairs, blood donation camps, and a plantation drive.

The airport has also established a unique UDAN Yatri Cafe to address concerns about high food costs. This cafe is meant to serve passengers travelling under the UDAN scheme, which is part of the Regional Connectivity Scheme, which aims to improve air connectivity in underserved regions.

Sweety Kumari

Sweety Kumari is a seasoned journalist reporting from West Bengal for The Indian Express. With over a decade of experience in the media industry and eight years specifically with The Indian Express, she demonstrates considerable Expertise and Authority across a diverse range of critical beats. Experience & Authority Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express, reporting from West Bengal. Extensive Tenure: Over 10 years of experience in the media industry, with a long association (8 years) with The Indian Express, contributing to a high level of Trustworthiness. Diverse Coverage: Covers crucial beats including Crime, Defence, Health, and Politics, alongside writing on trending topics. Investigative Focus: Possesses a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories, demonstrating depth and skill in impactful journalism. Beat Versatility: Has honed her craft across diverse beats, including aviation and reporting on various incidents, ensuring well-rounded and comprehensive reportage. Career Start: Began her journalistic journey as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a news portal in Kolkata, providing a foundational understanding of media landscape and audience engagement. Education Advanced Education: Holds a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, equipping her with advanced media theory and skills. Undergraduate Education: Holds an Honours degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College. Multilingual Skill: Her fluency in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili enhances her reach and capability to connect with diverse sources and communities in the region, adding a layer of accessibility and authenticity to her reporting. Regional Roots: Originally from Bihar, she was brought up and educated in Kolkata (Kendriya Vidyalaya Salt Lake), giving her a deep, personal understanding of the cultural and political nuances of her reporting region. Sweety Kumari's combination of significant experience, specialization in key beats like Crime and Politics, and strong academic background makes her a trusted and authoritative contributor to The Indian Express. ... Read More