Kolkata: The Airports Authority of India on Wednesday launched a physical land survey at Behala Flying Club following chief minister Suvendu Adhikari’s push to revive the dormant airfield for small scheduled flights, air ambulances and chartered operations.A preliminary drone survey was recently held to assess the airport’s land holdings, identify encroachments and examine the clearance available along the flight path. The findings are expected to help determine whether the 915m runway can support small aircraft and the infrastructure and safety measures required.State sports and youth affairs minister and Behala West MLA Indranil Khan, who visited the airport, told TOI, “The drone survey led experts to believe that nine- to 19-seater aircraft could operate here, once encroachments are removed. This physical check will clear doubts on the feasibility for small, scheduled flight operations, besides air ambulance services. Technical constraints and possible solutions will be identified.”But aviation experts pointed at different constraints, such as high-rises around the airfield and the narrow approach road. “Obstacles have to be mapped and removed for operations to happen,” an AAI official told Khan. AAI and state officials also flagged encroachments and the absence of a complete boundary wall as key hurdles. “Our priority is to demarcate the boundary and secure the perimeter with a wall. We have identified several encroachers,” Khan said.The Behala Flying Club, once a prominent pilot-training facility, has been largely dormant for years, with only occasional private helicopter movements. The state plans to first make the airport suitable for air ambulances and small aircraft before exploring wider commercial operations.
