Ambikapur Airport

Maa Mahamaya Ambikapur Airport (earlier Darima Airport) or Ambikapur Airport is located at Darima, 12 km south of Ambikapur, in Chhattisgarh, India. The airport serves Ambikapur, one of the major city of Chhattisgarh state. It also serves the nearby towns of Surajpur, Baikunthpur, Bhatgaon, Mainpat, Sitapur, Brishrampur, Balrampur, Ramanujganj, etc. therefore this airport provides air connectivity to entire Northern Chhattisgarh.

History
The airstrip in Darima area near Ambikapur was constructed in the year 1950. The then Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi visited the airstrip in year 1974. The airstrip was used for small aircraft and helicopters, mainly for some VIP visits.

Name of airport was changed from Darima Airport to "Maa Mahamaya Airport, Ambikapur" on 30 March 2021, In the name of Maa Mahamaya (Ambika Devi), the goddess of Ambikapur city.

Upgradation
The airstrip up-gradation work was finished in May 2023 at a cost of Rs. 48 crore from category 2C to 3C, to enable operations of 70-72 seater aircraft under UDAN Scheme. Making this the Fourth Public Serving Airport in Chhattisgarh after Raipur, Jagdalpur and Bilaspur.

Operational status
Up-gradation of Airport Completed in May 2023. First Test flight landed on 4 May 2023 By Aviation authority. After Approval of DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation), flights to Delhi, Varanasi and Raipur are proposed.

DGCA team inspected Ambikapur Airport on 15/05/2023. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued the aerodrome license for Ambikapur airport in Chhattisgarh's Surguja district on 15/03/2024 to start flight operations