Salem Airport (India)

Salem Airport
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerMinistry of Civil Aviation
OperatorAirports Authority of India
ServesSalem Metropolitan Area
LocationKamalapuram, Salem district, Tamil Nadu, India
OpenedApril 1993 (April 1993)
Elevation AMSL307 m / 1,008 ft
Coordinates11°46′55″N 078°03′52″E / 11.78194°N 78.06444°E / 11.78194; 78.06444
WebsiteSalem Airport
Map
SXV
Location in Salem
SXV
SXV (Tamil Nadu)
SXV
SXV (India)
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
04/22 1,806 6,000 Asphalt
Statistics (April 2024 - March 2025)
Passengers130,132 ( 101.4%)
Aircraft movements2,504 ( 89.6%)
Cargo tonnage—
Source: AAI[1][2][3]

Salem Airport (IATA: SXV, ICAO: VOSM) is a domestic airport serving the city of Salem in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located at Kamalapuram, about 20 km (12 mi) from the city centre.

History

Salem airport is located at Kamalapuram, about 20 km (12 mi) from the city. It was built at a cost of ₹60 million (US$710,000), and opened in April 1993. The airport was partially funded through private donations, with the Salem Steel Plant contributing ₹3 million (US$35,000). Originally, the airport had a single 1,350 m (4,430 ft)-long runway, and it was planned for Vayudoot to begin flight services, using small aircraft. However, the runway was later expanded to accommodate larger aircraft. Initially, a single service was launched to Chennai via Coimbatore, and was withdrawn after three months due to poor patronage. The airport was in disuse since then.[4]

In the early 2000s, the Airports Authority of India spruced up the airport to enable it to handle commercial operations again.[5] While Simplifly Deccan obtained permission to fly to the airport in 2003, it did not materialise.[4] In 2006, the airline agreed to begin its Salem operations, but only if the local industry deposited at least ₹9 million (US$110,000) or gave a commitment for 50% bookings on average. After the airline merged with Kingfisher Airlines, the service to Chennai was finally launched in November 2009.[5] The service was withdrawn on 28 October 2011 after the airline faced financial issues.[6]

In 2018, the airport was one of the destinations identified under the Government of India's UDAN regional connectivity scheme. In March 2018, the Ministry of Civil Aviation changed the status of the airport to "unserved" to enable the introduction of flights under the scheme.[7] In the same month, TruJet announced the launch of flights to Chennai,[8] with other airlines such as Air Odisha planning to begin operations in 2019.[9] TruJet suspended operations when it filed for bankruptcy in June 2022.[10] Since then, the airport remained closed for commercial operations,[11] until Alliance Air and IndiGo launched flights from the airport in October 2023.[12][13]

Infrastructure

The airport is spread across a 136 acres (55 ha) site. It has a single 1,806 m (5,925 ft)-long runway, oriented 04/22, and equipped with navigational facilities including Very high frequency radio, Precision Approach Path Indicator, and Non-directional beacon. The parking apron can accommodate two small fixed wing and one narrow body aircraft. The terminal building can handle 100 passengers simultaneously.[14]

In the 2010s, the union government allocated funds for the expansion of the airport.[15] However, protests by farmers and land owners,[16][17] delayed the land acquisition process.[15]

Airlines and destinations

AirlinesDestinations
Alliance Air[12]Bengaluru, Kochi
IndiGo[13][18]Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad

Connectivity

The airport is connected by government operated buses from the Central Bus Terminus in Salem. Salem Junction is the nearest major railhead. Cab services, call taxis and auto rickshaws provide commuting services to the airport.[19]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Annexure III – Passenger Data" (PDF). Airports Authority of India. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  2. ^ "Annexure II – Aircraft Movement Data" (PDF). Airports Authority of India. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  3. ^ "Annexure IV – Freight Movement Data" (PDF). Airports Authority of India. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Salem airport is all set to get a new lease of life". The Hindu. 19 August 2006. Archived from the original on 28 August 2006. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
  5. ^ a b "Salem airport back in operation after Kingfisher starts Chennai-Salem service". The Times of India. 16 November 2009. Retrieved 6 January 2012.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  6. ^ "More flying schools land in Salem airport as commercial flights shut". The Times of India. 28 December 2011. Retrieved 6 January 2012.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  7. ^ "Status upgrade for Salem airport". The Hindu. 16 November 2017. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  8. ^ "Salem gets flight connectivity to Chennai". The Hindu. 3 March 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  9. ^ "Air Odisha to operate flights from Salem". The Times of India. April 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  10. ^ "Trujet suspends flights". CNBC TV18. 18 February 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  11. ^ Sabari, M. (8 November 2021). "Will night flights revive Salem airport fortunes?". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  12. ^ a b "Salem Airport resumes operation with inaugural flight from Bengaluru". Deccan Herald. 16 October 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  13. ^ a b "Flight services to resume at Salem Airport on October 16". The Hindu. 23 September 2023. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  14. ^ "Salem Airport". Archived from the original on 10 August 2017. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
  15. ^ a b "Expedite land acquisition process for Salem Airport expansion". The Hindu. 17 February 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  16. ^ "Farmers protest against airport expansion". The Times of India. 28 April 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  17. ^ Rao, Manasa (18 June 2018). "The human cost of expanding the Salem airport". News Minute. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  18. ^ Sengupta, Joy (30 October 2023). "IndiGo commences operations from Salem". The Times of India. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  19. ^ "Salem, SXV". IndiGo. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
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