"DGCA approves 24/7 flight operations at Maharashtra's Sindhudurg Airport."

Sindhudurg Airport in Maharashtra’s Konkan region has received approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to operate round the clock, including during low visibility and adverse weather conditions, airport operator IRB Infrastructure Developers said in a statement.

The airport, which began commercial operations in October 2021, has been certified for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), allowing aircraft to operate safely even in challenging weather. The clearance also covers published satellite-based Required Navigation Performance (RNP) procedures along with the availability of a backup navigation aid.

According to IRB Infrastructure, the combination of satellite-based guidance and a non-satellite backup system will provide pilots with reliable instrument approach support, ensuring safer landings and more dependable flight operations for all types of aircraft throughout the year.

“This approval for 24×7 all-weather operations significantly enhances the airport’s reliability and operational capability. It will boost airline confidence, support sustained traffic growth, and contribute meaningfully to economic and tourism development across the Konkan region,” said Jai S Sadana, Chief Adviser and Head of IRB Sindhudurg Airport.

The development is expected to further improve regional connectivity, with the Mumbai–Sindhudurg route under the state’s regional connectivity scheme likely to commence in the coming months. Once operational, the service is expected to make travel more convenient for residents and attract more visitors to the Konkan region.

IRB Infrastructure also said passenger traffic at the airport is on the rise, with close to 11,000 passenger movements recorded in December for the first time. In line with growing demand, the airport has doubled its aircraft parking capacity from three to six stands.