Airport type Military / Public Elevation AMSL 2,178 ft / 664 m 2,120 6,955 Elevation 2,178 m | Serves Bidar 02/20 2,120 6,955 Asphalt Operator Indian Air Force | |
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Bidar Airport, also known as Bidar Air Force Station, (ICAO: VOBR) is a military airbase airport in Bidar, Karnataka, India.
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The Government of Karnataka has requested to open the Bidar Defence airports to civilian use. Government of India has already conveyed ‘in principle’ approval to the proposal in respect of Bidar airfield. However, no offer has been made for provision of additional land by the Government of Karnataka for Bidar airfield.
Bidar Air Force Station
The Indian Air Force operates the Air Force Academy that operates Kiran Mk II trainers while the Hawk Operational Training Squadron (HOTS) operates BAE Hawk Advanced jet trainers Bidar was also base for the Surya Kiran, the aerobatics demonstration team of the IAF.
Hawk AJT
Hawks arrived on 12 November 2007 at Bidar when the base was celebrating its Platinum Jubilee. The Advanced Jet Trainer had been introduced rapidly with over 15,000 flying hours being logged in a span of four years. While some initial training of Indian pilots onto the Hawk was conducted at RAF Valley in the UK, operations at Bidar are now in full swing with nearly 40 aircraft operating from the base.
Planned Expansion
The Government of Karnataka was to extend full co-operation and support to the Indian Air Force / Airports Authority of India (AAI) in developing this airport for civilian use and to acquire additional land, if required, for development of civil enclave infrastructure facilities. Bidar Airport is awaiting a No Objection Certificate from the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (GHIAL) in Hyderabad, which is operated and maintained by the GMR Group. An exclusivity clause in the concession agreement signed by the Union government and GMR to develop Hyderabad airport forbids any commercial airport within 150 km radius of GHIAL.