Lilabari Airport
Airport in Lakhimpur district, Assam, India
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lilabari Airport (IATA: IXI, ICAO: VELR), also known as North Lakhimpur Airport, is a domestic airport serving the city of North Lakhimpur in Assam, India. It is located at Lilabari, 8 km (5.0 mi) north from the city centre.
Lilabari Airport | |||||||||||
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| Summary | |||||||||||
| Airport type | Public | ||||||||||
| Operator | Airports Authority of India | ||||||||||
| Serves | North Lakhimpur | ||||||||||
| Location | Lilabari, North Lakhimpur, Assam, India | ||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 330 ft (100 m) | ||||||||||
| Coordinates | 27°17′44″N 094°05′52″E | ||||||||||
| Website | Lilabari Airport | ||||||||||
| Map | |||||||||||
  IXI Location within Assam  IXI Location within India | |||||||||||
| Runways | |||||||||||
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| Statistics (April 2025 - March 2026) | |||||||||||
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| Source: AAI[1][2][3] | |||||||||||
History
The Lilabari airport project in Lakhimpur began following hectic campaigning and lobbying by local Member of Parliament (MP), Dr Ranee Narah from 1999 to 2003.[4] Construction of the airport had finished by 2003, and the terminal was inaugurated by then Union Civil Aviation Minister Syed Shahnawaz Hussain.[4][5]
Lilabari Airfield has a little-known but significant history as a forward operating base for the Indian Air Force. During the 1962 Sino-Indian War and in the decades that followed, the IAF used the airfield for airlift, surveillance, and logistical support in the Northeast frontier. Its proximity to strategic regions made it a quiet but vital asset, particularly during operations in Arunachal Pradesh.[6]
Current status
- The airport is equipped with a night landing facility, and the runway is being modified to operate larger aircraft.[7]
