Eight kilometers south of Imphal city lies Imphal International Airport, the lifeline of Manipur’s air connectivity. Established in the mid-1960s, it was upgraded to international status on October 30, 2013, with the first overseas flight from Mandalay arriving on November 21, 2013. While regular international flights are still awaited, the airport has steadily grown into one of the busiest in the Northeast.
The Name and Status
Though often referred to as Bir Tikendrajit International Airport, the renaming is pending official notification through a gazette. For now, its operational code remains:
IATA: IMF
ICAO: VEIM
Runway and Operations
Classification: 4C Aerodrome (can handle Airbus A320 & Boeing 737 series)
Runway: 2,746 meters, aligned 04/22
Elevation: 774 meters (2,540 ft) above sea level
Approaches:
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ILS on 04 end (Loktak Lake side)
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DVOR on 22 end (city-facing)
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Operational hours stretch from 0600–1900 hrs, managing 34 scheduled and up to 10 non-scheduled flights daily. On average, the airport handles 2,200+ arrivals and departures daily, pushing monthly passenger traffic above 110,000.
Airlines and Connectivity
Currently, carriers like IndiGo, Air India Express, Air India, and Alliance Air connect Imphal to major metros such as Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Guwahati, as well as to northeastern cities. IndiGo Cargo alone moves around 700 metric tonnes of freight per month, highlighting the airport’s growing role as a logistics hub.
Non-scheduled helicopter operators like Pawan Hans and Global Vectra link Imphal with remote districts of Manipur, Mizoram, and Dimapur.
Safety and Facilities
The airport’s infrastructure ensures safe round-the-clock operations:
Category I ILS
DVOR/DME, RADAR, ATS automation
Advanced comms + RVR system
Aerodrome lighting for night ops
ARFF (Rescue & Fire Fighting): Category VII
Highly trained ATC staff managing approach and tower control.
Parking facilities currently include six bays: one for ATR-72 and five for Airbus A321s. The Airbus A321 remains the largest regular operator here.
New Developments
The most visible upgrade is the Integrated Terminal Building under construction on the eastern side:
Size: 22,000 sqm (up from the current 7,800 sqm)
Capacity: 1,000 domestic + 200 international passengers at peak hours (current capacity: 750)
Design: Blends modern architecture with Manipuri cultural motifs
Facilities: 4 aerobridges, 4 non-aerobridge bays, expanded car park (1,000 cars + 15 buses vs. current 240-car lot)
Sustainability: Targeting GRIHA 5-star rating
Other projects include:
New integrated cargo terminal (soon to be commissioned)
Dedicated helicopter stand
Runway turnpad expansion—ready for Boeing 777 operations, pending DGCA clearance
The Bigger Picture
Imphal International Airport is not just an airstrip—it’s a symbol of Manipur’s aspirations. From its role as a regional lifeline in the 1960s to becoming a future-ready hub today, the airport is evolving with both technology and culture at its heart.
The planned upgrades will allow Imphal to better serve its growing passenger base, enhance cargo exports, and potentially reconnect with international destinations in the near future.