Airport type Military Elevation AMSL 253 ft / 77 m 1,731 5,680 Elevation 77 m | Operator Indian Air Force 07/25 1,731 Code TJV | |
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Location Thanjavur (Tanjore), India Address Nanjikottai, Mappillai Naicken Patty, Tamil Nadu 613005 Similar Air Force Station Thanjavur, Thanjavur New Bus Stand, Blossom Public School, Kamala Subrama Matriculat, Yagappa Internatio School | ||
Thanjavur Air Force Station (IATA: TJV, ICAO: VOTJ) of the Indian Air Force (IAF) is located in Thanjavur (also known as Tanjore) in Tamil Nadu, India. It is home to a squadron of the IAF's Sukhoi Su-30 MKI super-manoeuvrable fighter aircraft - the first IAF fighter squadron in Tamil Nadu. The facility was expected to start functioning by 2012. However, the schedule was delayed and the airbase was inaugurated on 27 May 2013 by then Defence Minister A. K. Antony.
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History
The airfield was used by the Royal Air force during World War II as a base for its Lockheed Hudson, Vickers Wellington, Hawker Hurricane, and P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft. After the war the airfield was handed over to the government for civilian use and eventually came under the jusrisdiction of the Airports Authority of India (AAI). In the early '90s, Thanjavur was connected with Chennai via the Vayudoot Flight Service, which was stopped due to poor patronage. The IAF took over the airfield in March 1990. During the heavy floods in Tamil Nadu in November 2008, IAF helicopters operating from Thanjavur dropped 15,000 kg of relief materials to the affected areas.
Facilities
The airport is situated at an elevation of 253 feet (77 m) above mean sea level. It has two runways with concrete surfaces: 07/25 measuring 5,680 by 150 feet (1,731 m × 46 m) and 14/32 measuring 4,757 by 150 feet (1,450 m × 46 m). Recent aerial photography only shows extension of Runway 07/25 to 9000 feet with parallel taxiway and aprons under construction.