Chhattisgarh became India’s 26th state in November 2000, carved out of Madhya Pradesh as a mineral-rich, forest-dense, and culturally distinct territory. Raipur, its capital, has grown steadily into a significant industrial and commercial city — a hub for the steel, power, and cement sectors, and the administrative gateway to a state with remarkable natural wealth and a tribal heritage that draws a particular kind of tourism. Swami Vivekananda Airport, named after the philosopher-monk who spent part of his formative years in Raipur between 1877 and 1879, is the sole major aviation facility in Chhattisgarh. It handles over 25 lakh passengers annually, ranks among India’s top 26 busiest airports by passenger traffic, and is currently the busiest airport in Central India.
Quick Overview: Swami Vivekananda Airport, Raipur
| Detail | Information |
| Official Name | Swami Vivekananda Airport |
| Formerly Known As | Mana Airport |
| Location | Mana, Raipur, Chhattisgarh |
| Airport Type | Public — Domestic (with international status) |
| IATA Code | RPR |
| ICAO Code | VERP |
| Owner & Operator | Airports Authority of India (AAI) |
| Opened | 1975 |
| Renamed | 24 January 2012 |
| Runway Designation | 09/27 |
| Runway Length | ~2,286 metres |
| Elevation | 317 m / 1,041 ft AMSL |
| Distance from Raipur City | ~15 km southeast |
| Distance from Naya Raipur | ~10 km east |
| Check-in Counters | 15 (older data); expanded in new terminal |
| Passengers (2024–25) | 25,72,031 |
| Current Airlines | IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, and others |
Swami Vivekananda Airport Location: Mana Between Old and New Raipur
Swami Vivekananda Airport is located at Mana, approximately 15 kilometres southeast of Raipur city centre and 10 kilometres east of Naya Raipur — the newly developed planned capital city being built adjacent to Raipur. The airport address is 5 PPR+95M, Ramchandi, Atal Nagar-Nava Raipur, Chhattisgarh 492015. The Raipur-Dhamtari road provides primary access.
The airport’s position between old Raipur and Naya Raipur is actually a geographic advantage — as Naya Raipur develops its institutional, residential, and commercial character, the airport becomes even more centrally placed within the expanded Raipur Metropolitan Region rather than sitting at a peripheral edge. Elevation at 317 metres above mean sea level is relatively higher than most east-central India airports, reflecting the Chhattisgarh plateau’s higher terrain.
The airport was originally known as Mana Airport, named after the Mana locality. It was renamed Swami Vivekananda Airport on 24 January 2012, marking the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Swami Vivekananda, who lived in Raipur during his childhood years. The ICAO code was also updated from the older VARP to VERP in February 2018.
Swami Vivekananda Airport Code: IATA RPR and ICAO VERP
The airport’s IATA code is RPR and its ICAO code is VERP (updated from VARP in February 2018). RPR is the standard booking identifier used across all airline platforms, boarding passes, and baggage systems. VERP places it within the VE block for central India. Some older travel databases or airline directories still reference VARP — travellers should use RPR for IATA searches and VERP for ICAO-related queries.
Swami Vivekananda Airport Terminal: Single Integrated Building with Modern Amenities
Swami Vivekananda Airport operates from a single integrated terminal that handles all domestic operations and international processing when scheduled international flights are active. The terminal has been progressively upgraded, with a new integrated terminal building commissioned in recent years featuring aerobridges, expanded check-in counters, food courts, retail outlets, a lounge, and improved security screening — a meaningful upgrade from the earlier facility.
The terminal covers an extensive 4,289,668 square metres of total airport land area. The passenger building itself has 15 check-in counters noted in older directory data, with newer configurations reflecting expanded capacity. Two security kiosks handle standard passenger screening, with a combined inbound-outbound capacity of approximately 350 plus 350 passengers.
The runway at approximately 2,286 metres (09/27) handles narrow-body aircraft — Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 class — without difficulty. The apron is sized to handle multiple aircraft simultaneously given the airport’s status as Chhattisgarh’s sole major commercial facility. A helipad is also part of the airport infrastructure, used for VIP and emergency operations.
The food court — Gold Byte Food Court — is located opposite the terminal building as confirmed by the AAI passenger facilities page. International processing facilities including customs and immigration are in place for when scheduled international flights operate, though regular international service is currently limited.
Swami Vivekananda Airport Connectivity: Airlines, Routes and Ground Transport
By Air: IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, and other carriers operate from Raipur. Daily direct flights connect Raipur to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Pune, Ahmedabad, Indore, and several other cities. IndiGo’s Raipur network is particularly strong, with return flights available to Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Indore, and Mumbai among others. The airport handled over 25.7 lakh passengers in 2024–25 and over 35 lakh in 2025 by some estimates, with 5.8% year-on-year growth.
International route discussions have covered Dubai, Bangkok, and Singapore as potential targets, aligned with the demand from Chhattisgarh’s industrial workforce, many of whom have employment or family connections in Gulf countries. No scheduled international service was confirmed as of mid-2026, but the airport’s international status means the infrastructure for it is in place.
By Road: A bus service between Raipur Airport and Raipur city/Raipur Junction railway station runs from 7:00 am to 7:30 pm every day, with departures every 10 minutes — one of the more comprehensive airport bus services among India’s Tier 2 cities. Taxis are available; it is advisable to book in advance or use taxis outside the airport to avoid the premium charged at the travel desk inside the terminal. Ola and Uber operate in Raipur and are available for airport rides. Travel time to the city centre is 25 to 40 minutes under normal traffic conditions.
By Rail: Raipur Junction is a major railway station on the Howrah-Mumbai main line, connecting to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bhopal, Nagpur, and other major cities. The station is approximately 15 km from the airport.
Nearest Alternative Airport: Nagpur’s Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport is approximately 290 km away and the nearest airport with significant international connectivity for Raipur-based travellers needing overseas connections.
Swami Vivekananda Airport Amenities: Modern Facilities for Chhattisgarh’s Gateway
Swami Vivekananda Airport offers a solid amenity range that reflects its position as the sole major airport in a state of 33 million people. Free Wi-Fi is available for a limited session duration. ATMs and cash machines are in the terminal. Lounges are available for eligible passengers. Food courts and cafes serve passengers both airside and in the landside zone, with the Gold Byte Food Court being the dedicated dining facility.
Retail shops carry souvenirs, local Chhattisgarh products, clothing, and general merchandise. The terminal has a dedicated children’s area and baby care room. Wheelchair assistance and facilities for differently-abled passengers are provided. Baggage trolleys are available. Flight status boards and digital information displays keep passengers informed of gate assignments and boarding times.
Hotels at multiple price points — including properties from the Marriott and Hyatt portfolio for business travellers — are available near the airport. The 15-km proximity to Raipur city and 10-km proximity to Naya Raipur makes the airport accessible without being inconveniently peripheral.
The bus service every 10 minutes during daylight hours is a standout feature — this frequency is unusual for Tier 2 Indian airports and makes the Raipur airport genuinely accessible to travellers without private vehicle arrangements.
FAQs: Swami Vivekananda Airport, Raipur
Q1. What is the IATA code for Swami Vivekananda Airport?
The IATA code is RPR and the ICAO code is VERP (updated from VARP in February 2018). The airport was formerly known as Mana Airport and was renamed after Swami Vivekananda on 24 January 2012.
Q2. How far is Raipur Airport from the city?
The airport at Mana is approximately 15 km from Raipur city centre and 10 km from Naya Raipur. Road travel takes 25 to 40 minutes by cab or bus.
Q3. Which airlines operate from Swami Vivekananda Airport?
IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet are primary carriers, with flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Pune, Ahmedabad, and Indore among others. Check current schedules on airline booking platforms before travel.
Q4. Is there a bus service from Raipur Airport to the city?
Yes. Buses run every 10 minutes between 7:00 am and 7:30 pm, connecting the airport to Raipur city and Raipur Junction railway station — one of the more frequent airport bus services among India’s Tier 2 cities.
Q5. Does Raipur Airport have international flights?
Not currently on a scheduled basis. The airport has international status and customs/immigration facilities in place. International routes to Gulf destinations, Bangkok, and Singapore have been discussed but no confirmed scheduled international service was operational as of mid-2026.
