The Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the Uttarakhand government have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the acquisition and development of Naini Saini Airport in Pithoragarh. The agreement was formalised on Sunday in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the statehood silver jubilee celebrations at the Forest Research Institute (FRI) in Dehradun.

Spread across around 70 acres, Naini Saini Airport’s terminal building can accommodate 40 passengers during peak hours, while its apron can handle two Code-2B aircraft simultaneously. The apron area is designated for parking, loading, refuelling and boarding operations.

Following the acquisition, AAI will modernise the airport’s infrastructure and align it with national aviation standards. Officials said the project will boost regional air connectivity, tourism, trade and employment, while also supporting education, healthcare and hospitality in the Kumaon region.

Situated in a strategically important Himalayan zone, the upgraded airport is also expected to enhance Uttarakhand’s disaster-response and emergency logistics capabilities.

Naini Saini Airport was linked to Delhi in November 2024 through a commercial flight operated by Alliance Air. It is also connected to Dehradun via a 19-seater service by Heritage Aviation, while Pawan Hans provides helicopter links to Pantnagar and Haldwani.