Warangal Airport also Mamnoor Airport (IATA: WGC, ICAO: VOWA) is located at Mamnoor, Warangal in the state of Telangana, India.[1] The largest airport at the time, remained in service until 1981. The Government of Telangana is trying to revive the airport with some instate services, it is planned to be reopened by 2030.[2] Around 1,000-acre (4.0 km2) of land are available for the proposed airport.
History
Warangal Airport, the largest pre-independence era airport, was built at Mamnoor in Warangal district, in 1930. It was commissioned by the last Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, along with one at Solapur, to benefit the businesses, at Kagaznagar for the paper industry's convenience, and to help industries like the Azam Jahi Mills at Warangal. Numerous PMs and Presidents have landed at the airport until 1981. Many cargo services and Vayudoot services have also used it as their hub.
New push is made for the Warangal Airport to be revived via the UDAN scheme in 2022.[6] Again, in 2023 a joint inspection team was formed to expedite the survey process.[7]
On 31 July, 2023, following a new survey, the State Cabinet of Telangana approved the proposal to develop Mamnoor Airport. The proposal calls for the acquisition and subsequent allocation of the last 253 acres of required land to the Airport Authority of India for purposes of constructing a terminal building as well as extending the existing runway to accommodate larger aircraft such as the Boeing 747.[8][9]
On 17th November 2024 ,Telangana government has approved Rs 205 crore for acquiring over 280 acres of land to facilitate the development of Mamnoor Airport in Warangal. This decision follows the issuance of a “No Objection Certificate” (NoC) from GMR Group in the board meeting held on 23rd October, which manages Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA). The NoC clears the path for operationalizing Mamnoor Airport. Telangana Government has written letter to AAI to start the process of Obtaining All statutory clearances/Approvals for the development of warangal airport from all the regulatory departments[10]
AAI has Informed Telangana government that they will take up development of Warangal Airport in Phase 2 for IFR Operations for A320 type aircraft Proposed Runway Length - 2.9km Total Project Cost - Rs.592 Crs (if it was started in 2021 and completed by March 2024)[11]
Infrastructure
Warangal Airport was the largest airport in the country at the time, with 1,875-acre (7.59 km2) in land, a 2 km runway, a pilot and staff quarters, a pilot training centre and more than one terminal.[12]
Airlines and destinations
There is no scheduled commercial air service at this time.