From Grass Runway to Global Gateway: Kolkata Airport Completes 100 Years
Kolkata’s iconic Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, which began its journey as a grass airstrip in the early 20th century, is marking its centenary with grand celebrations starting December 21. The airport, which has played a pivotal role in global aviation history, will host a series of events to commemorate its evolution from a rudimentary aerodrome to a modern international hub.
A Century of Aviation Legacy
The Kolkata airport’s story began in the 1920s as the Calcutta Aerodrome near the Royal Artillery Armory in Dum Dum. In 1924, it became a scheduled stopover point, with significant milestones like Lieutenant Pilchet Doisy landing a Dakota 3 aircraft on May 2, 1924, and the first night landing on November 14 of the same year. The airport quickly gained prominence in the mid-20th century as a critical stopover for flights connecting North America and Europe to South and East Asia.
From the 1940s to the 1960s, the airport was bustling with international carriers such as Air France, Lufthansa, and Pan Am. However, advancements in aviation technology, particularly the advent of long-haul aircraft, diminished Kolkata’s role as a refueling hub by the 1970s.
A Modern Hub in the Making
Post-liberalization in the 1990s, the airport regained its significance, marked by the construction of a new domestic terminal in 1995 and its renaming in honor of freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. A major modernization effort began in 2007, leading to the opening of a new integrated terminal in 2013.
Currently, the airport is undergoing another expansion phase to boost its passenger handling capacity from 2.6 crore to 3.9 crore annually. “We are working to ensure the airport remains a key gateway to South-East Asia and the Gulf,” said airport director Pravat Ranjan Beuria.
Centenary Celebrations
The centenary events will feature exhibitions, cultural performances, craft fairs, and charity initiatives, including blood donation camps and a mega plantation drive. Dignitaries such as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Civil Aviation Minister K R Naidu, and other prominent officials are expected to grace the inauguration.
As Kolkata airport celebrates 100 years, it reflects on its legacy while looking forward to shaping the future of aviation in the region.
