Does Kota Have an Airport?

Kota actually has an old airport (IATA: KTU), but it is not yet open for regular commercial flights. It is used exclusively for charter and government planes because of its short (1,200-metre) runway. If you are going for regular flights, the closest airport to Kota is Jaipur International Airport, located 245 km away. A completely new Kota Greenfield Airport is being built at Shambupura village; however, the construction work began in September 2025, and flights will commence around December 2027.

Will Kota Build an Airport? The Honest Answer

One of the most searched travel questions about Kota is this, and yes and no is the response.

Yes, there is an airport in Kota. It has been around for over 10 years. However, if you are looking to fly in or out of Kota for vacation, learning or business, here is the reality – the current airport in Kota is not open at the moment for regular commercial flights.

The existing Kota Airport (KTU) is located approximately 447 acres outside the city boundary with only 1 runway of 1200 metres. It’s not the length of the wingspan for the type of commercial planes that airlines would normally fly on a domestic flight, such as the Airbus A320 or Boeing 737. Consequently, at this time, there are no regular passenger flights to and from this airport.

If you are a student, a parent travelling to your child, or a tourist travelling to the Hadoti, you will still have to stop at another city and pick up from there. But the good news? But all that is about to change very soon.

Will there be a new airport in Kota?

Yes — this is the fun part, everyone is looking for news about Kota airport.

The Kota Greenfield Airport is a big infrastructure project ahead, which will mark a complete change in the way Kota can be connected with the rest of India. This is a summarisation of the current situation:

What Is the Kota Greenfield Airport?

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has commenced the construction of a brand new airport at the Shambupura village, which is around 15 kilometres away from the city of Kota. The project covers a land area of 1250 acres, as compared to the old Airport.

This new building will be capable of handling Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft from the outset, unlike the old airport. In layman’s terms, that would mean that the big four airlines, IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, and others will finally be able to fly direct to Kota.

What Is the Kota Airport Opening Date?

Everyone is asking this large question. According to the most recent official announcements:

On 5 May 2025, the Ministry of Civil Aviation granted in-principle approval to the Greenfield airport.
The construction work will commence in September 2025.
The airport is planned to open for commercial flights in September-December 2027.

The project has already achieved significant achievements. In July 2024, the AAI signed an MoU with the Urban Development Department and the Civil Aviation Department of the Rajasthan Government. The Ministry of Defence had previously issued its NOC in July 2023. Around 440 hectares of forest land were also transferred to the AAI by the Rajasthan Forest Department in November 2024.

What will the new airport be like?

The new airport will be designed with a blend of traditional Rajasthani architecture and modern aviation infrastructure, making it a beautiful gateway to the region, rather than just a functional airport.

Phase 1 Features:

Runway: 2900 metres (narrow-body jets)
Terminal Building: 15,000 sq. metres and 800 passengers per peak hour
Apron: 3 parking stands for A320/A321 planes
ATC Tower, car park (250 places), public transport zone

Phase 2 Expansion:

Runway was extended to 3,581 metres (for wider aircraft)
15 more aircraft parking stands
Full-length parallel taxiway
Precision approach lighting (PAL) for flight in low visibility (CAT-I)
Cargo Terminal: 2,000 sq. metres, and with a capacity of 20,000 metric tons per year.
Flights Training School & MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul) facilities located in the Country.

It’s not a small regional airstrip; it’s a complete airport that’s being built for the ever-increasing population and booming education sector of Kota.

Which Airport is the closest to Kota right now?

Until the new Greenfield Airport is ready, travellers are stuck with one of the nearby airports. These are the options that are best for you:

1. Jaipur International Airport (JAI) is the best option.

Distance from Kota: ~245–250 km | Drive time: ~4 to 5 hours

It is the closest airport to Kota that is fully commercial. The well-connected airport, Jaipur Airport (Sanganer Airport), also has operations to Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata and other international destinations such as Dubai and Muscat. It is a regular airport for IndiGo, Akasa Air, Air India, and SpiceJet airlines. Jaipur is connected to Kota by bus, cab or train.

2. Udaipur Maharana Pratap Airport (UMP)

Distance from Kota: ~265–280 km | Drive time: ~4.5 to 5.5 hours

However, Udaipur Airport may be a convenient alternative for those who do not have a direct flight to Jaipur from some cities. It is also a beautiful and scenic landscape that goes through the beautiful Mewar countryside.

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3. Indore Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport (IDR)

From Kota: ~310 km (5-6 hours) by car

Indore Airport may be a more convenient option if coming from the eastern/southern part of India, depending on the flight route.

Pro Tip: Jaipur is always a favourite destination for travellers. There are two options available from Jaipur Airport to reach Kota: a cab or an Express Bus. The highway is well-maintained, and the ride is smooth.

How to Reach Kota by Air — Step-by-Step Guide

The ways to get to Kota by air are explained step by step below. Unfortunately, there are no direct flights to Kota, so here is how to get to Kota by air:
Step 1: Make an air ticket booking to Jaipur International Airport (JAI).

Step 2: Land at Jaipur and pick up your baggage.

Step 3: You should take the Prepaid cab, Ola/Uber, or Rajasthan state bus from Jaipur to Kota.

Step 4:The journey now is by road, and should take about 4-5 hours on NH-52 and NH-148B.

Another option is to take one of the 20+ daily trains from Jaipur to Kota Junction with a flight in between. There are some express trains which complete the journey in less than 3 hours.

Kota Junction is one of the busiest railway stations on the main line between Delhi and Mumbai, with more than 100 trains stopping here every day. Thus, after you arrive at Jaipur, your next travel to Kota is quite convenient.

Why Kota Needs Its Own Airport – The Bigger Picture

Kota isn’t just another city in Rajasthan. It is the coaching hub of India where more than 2 lakh students come each year and prepare for the competitive exams like JEE and NEET. With its booming industrial sector, it’s a major railway hub, and its rich heritage sites like Garadia Mahadev, Chambal River & Kota Barrage, the need for direct air connectivity is apparent.

It took years for students from Kerala, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and other distant states to complete their train rides of 24-36 hours to get to Kota. The same problem was encountered by parents visiting their children and doctors visiting for consultations. This journey will be chopped in half at the new airport near Kota, Rajasthan.

In its base year (2024-25 forecast), the Kota Greenfield Airport is projected to serve approximately 1,50,000 passengers per year along with 2,200 aircraft movements, with direct flights anticipated between Kota and the national capital of Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and later international destinations.

This airport will make a real difference in the lives of the people of Hadoti (Kota, Bundi, Baran and Jhalawar). It will help in attracting more visitors to the Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve, feature in the international tourism map, and create thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities.

Kota Airport Status — Current Summary

List of commonly asked questions (FAQs)

Q1. Is there an airport in Kota?

Aye, there is an old airport (IATA: KTU) in Kota, but it is not in use for commercial flights today. Construction of a new Kota Greenfield Airport is underway, and it is planned to be completed by the end of 2027.

Q2. Which is the closest airport to Kota, Rajasthan?

The nearest airport to Kota with regular commercial flights is Jaipur International Airport, which is located at a distance of about 245 km from Kota city and takes around 4 hours to drive.

Q3. When will the airport be opened in Kota?

An official government announcement has suggested that the airport is scheduled to open for commercial flights from September 2027 to December 2027. The construction will begin in September 2025.

Q4. In which Indian state is the new airport of Kota?

The new Kota Greenfield Airport is being constructed at the Shambupura village in the Kota district, about 15 km from Kota city and 20 km from Bundi.

Q5. What is the current airfare to Kota?

Aeronautic access to Kota is the easiest from the Jaipur International Airport, from where a cab or train ride takes you to Kota. This road trip will take approximately 4-5 hours. There are also trains available from Jaipur to Kota Junction, which take 2.5–3 hours.

Q6. Which airlines will fly to the new Kota airport?

So far, no airline route has been officially announced. As soon as the airport becomes operational, it will draw in all the major airlines such as IndiGo, Air India and SpiceJet, with possible routes to Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad under the UDAN scheme.

Q7. Are there any private airports in Kota?

Yes. Private charter flights, government aircraft and helicopter services are available at the existing airport at Kota (KTU). Is not involved in regular commercial flights.

Q8. How would the new airport at Kota be?

The new airport will have a traditional Rajasthani architecture, including modern aviation facilities. Phase 1 will cover a terminal building with a capacity of 15,000 sq metres, which will support 800 passengers per peak hour and a 2,900-metre runway for airliners such as A320 types.

Sources -:

• How to Reach Kota — Complete Travel Guide
• Best Hotels in Kota for Students and Families
• Top Places to Visit in Kota, Rajasthan
• Kota Coaching Centres — Complete Guide for JEE & NEET Students
• Rajasthan New Airports 2025 — A Complete State-Wide Update  

The Wait Is Almost Over

So, does Kota have an airport? In short, it does, but not one that serves regular passengers just yet. The old airport in Kota has been limited for years, and currently, the nearest airport to Kota for practical travel purposes remains Jaipur, about 4–5 hours away.

But that story is changing fast. With the Kota Greenfield Airport now approved, funded, and entering construction, the city of coaching institutes, industrial hubs, and Rajasthani heritage is finally getting the air connectivity it has long deserved. By 2027, students, families, tourists, and business travellers will be able to fly directly into Kota — no long drives, no overnight trains.

If you’re planning a trip to Kota anytime before 2027, use Jaipur Airport as your entry point. And if you want to stay updated on the Kota airport opening date, bookmark this page — we’ll keep it updated as construction progresses.

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