Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport is preparing for a major expansion as passenger traffic continues to grow. The Airports Authority of India is moving ahead with a ₹337-crore apron expansion project on the southern side of the terminal building. The work will create more space for aircraft parking, servicing and ground-handling operations.

What Is the Kolkata Airport Expansion Project?

The latest project focuses on the airport’s apron area. An apron is the part of an airport where aircraft are parked and serviced between flights. Airlines use this space for boarding, unloading baggage, refuelling, catering, cleaning and maintenance. By expanding this area, Kolkata Airport will have more operational space to accommodate aircraft. The additional space should also make ground operations smoother during busy travel periods.

How Many Aircraft Parking Bays Will Kolkata Airport Have?

One of the biggest changes will be the increase in aircraft parking bays. Kolkata Airport currently has around 73 parking bays. Under the redevelopment plan, this number is expected to increase to 132 bays. More parking bays can help airlines manage aircraft more efficiently and reduce pressure on existing airside infrastructure. This becomes especially important when several flights arrive or depart within a short period.

Why Is Kolkata Airport Expanding Now?

Passenger traffic at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport has nearly recovered to pre-pandemic levels and continues to remain strong.

Recent reporting says the airport handled around 1.1 crore passengers in the first half of 2025 and about 2.2 crore passengers during the full year. As passenger traffic grows, the airport is planning additional aircraft parking, terminal space and improvements to ground movement. The expansion is designed to prepare the airport for projected future demand and align airside infrastructure with planned passenger and flight growth. 

How Much Passenger Capacity Does Kolkata Airport Have?

The annual passenger-handling capacity of the existing terminal has recently increased from around 2.6 crore to 2.8 crore passengers. However, the long-term plan is much larger. Airport authorities are working towards raising the overall annual capacity to around 4.5 crore passengers by 2032-33. The broader plan includes several projects, including apron expansion, terminal redevelopment and improvements to passenger facilities. 

What Will Happen to the Old Domestic Terminal?

The old domestic terminal is proposed to be demolished to make way for a new U-shaped international terminal as part of Kolkata Airport’s broader redevelopment. Current plans call for a U-shaped international terminal with 21 aerobridges. The planned terminal will include 21 aerobridges to provide direct aircraft access for passengers. The existing integrated terminal is eventually expected to handle domestic operations exclusively, with its revised capacity projected at around 3.4 crore passengers annually. 

What Will the New International Terminal Offer?

The planned international terminal will include upgraded passenger and operational facilities. The wider redevelopment includes more space for:

• Immigration
• Customs
• Passenger processing
• Boarding gates
• Retail outlets
• Food and beverage areas
• International departure facilities

Around 60,000 sq ft of additional space is also planned for the international section of the existing terminal to reorganize immigration and customs facilities and add passenger amenities, retail and food-and-beverage outlets. 

How Is Kolkata Airport Improving Flight Movement?

The airport is also improving aircraft movement on the ground. Runway-handling capacity has increased from 35 flights per hour to 45 flights per hour following the addition of new taxiways and rapid-exit corridors. These improvements help aircraft clear the runway more efficiently and improve movement between the runway and terminal. Two additional taxi tracks have also improved movement for wide-body aircraft.

Is the Passenger Departure Area Also Expanding?

Yes. The domestic departure area has already been expanded by around 993 square metres. Another 300 square metres is being added to  the international departure section. These changes are intended to create more passenger space as traffic increases. For travelers, the improvements could provide more space and improve passenger movement during busy periods. 

What Other Upgrades Are Happening at Kolkata Airport?

The apron expansion is only one part of the wider modernization of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. Other projects and upgrades include:

• New taxiways
• Rapid-exit corridors
• A new air traffic control tower
• Improved wide-body aircraft movement
• Expanded terminal areas
• New passenger facilities

Together, these projects are intended to strengthen the airport’s capacity to handle future passenger and flight growth. 

What Will the Kolkata Airport Expansion Mean for Passengers?

Passengers may not immediately notice the apron expansion because most of the work happens on the airside. However, the project can still affect the travel experience. More aircraft parking and better taxiway access can support:

• Smoother flight operations
• Potentially more efficient aircraft turnaround operations 
• More room to support additional flight operations 
• Less pressure on parking stands
• Better handling of peak-hour traffic

The future terminal redevelopment should also provide more space for immigration, customs, passenger amenities and other international passenger services. 

When Will the Kolkata Airport Expansion Be Completed?

The ₹337-crore apron expansion is scheduled to be completed over the next three years. The larger airport redevelopment will continue beyond that timeline, with overall passenger-handling capacity targeted to reach around 4.5 crore annually by 2032-33. Individual construction schedules may change as different phases of the redevelopment move forward.

The Kolkata Airport expansion marks a major step in preparing Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport for future passenger growth. The broader redevelopment plan is expected to expand aircraft parking, improve flight movement, increase terminal capacity and enhance passenger facilities over the coming years. 

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