The Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Madhya Pradesh government have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on 10 October, 2024, for the development of Shivpuri airport.

The agreements outline plans for the overall development and operational management of the Shivpuri airstrip, with a focus on transforming Shivpuri into a key regional hub under the regional connectivity scheme (RCS) and offering modern communication, navigation, surveillance (CNS), and air traffic management (ATM) services.

As part of the initial development, the airport will be upgraded to accommodate 19-seater aircraft, with plans to further expand its capacity to handle ATR-72 aircraft soon. The government will soon transfer 292 acres of land to AAI for the airport’s expansion. Shivpuri Airport has been identified under UDAN 5.2.

The airport will initially support operations with nine-seater aircraft. The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has allocated Rs 45 crore for airport development, and the partnership marks a crucial milestone in advancing the state’s aviation capabilities, making air travel more accessible. Bids for flights connecting Shivpuri to Bhopal have been secured by Spirit Air, a start-up airline.

The development of Shivpuri Airport is expected to boost regional connectivity and economic growth in the state, and play a role in attracting investment and tourism to the area.