Indore is Madhya Pradesh’s commercial capital and its largest city — a trading hub for textiles, chemicals, agricultural commodities, and manufacturing that also hosts one of India’s most celebrated street food traditions (the Sarafa Bazaar night market, Chhappan Dukan, the poha-jalebi morning ritual). It is also consistently ranked among India’s cleanest cities, having won the Swachh Survekshan award multiple times in succession. Devi Ahilyabai Holkar International Airport — named after the 18th-century Holkar dynasty Maratha warrior-queen and administrator who built Indore’s civic infrastructure, herself a monumental figure in Indian history — is the busiest airport in central India. Carrying IATA code IDR and ICAO code VAID, located at Bijasan Tekri 8 kilometres west of the city centre, it handled 42.44 lakh passengers in 2025–26 (a 12.9% increase) and connects Indore directly to Sharjah via Air India Express and Air Arabia, with Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Dubai, and Singapore accessible via international routing. A ₹1,470 crore capital plan for runway extension to 3,200 metres and an expanded international terminal is targeted for 2027–28.
Quick Overview: Devi Ahilyabai Holkar International Airport
| Detail | Information |
| Official Name | Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport (also: Devi Ahilyabai Holkar International Airport) |
| Also Known As | Indore Airport; DABH |
| Location | Bijasan Tekri, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India |
| Airport Type | Public — Customs Airport (International) |
| IATA Code | IDR |
| ICAO Code | VAID |
| Owner/Operator | Airports Authority of India (AAI) |
| Hub for | IndiGo |
| Focus City for | Air India Express |
| Named After | Ahilyabai Holkar (Holkar dynasty ruler, 18th century) |
| Opened | 1948 |
| International Status | 2017 (designated); 29 May 2019 (first scheduled international flight) |
| Night Landing Facilities | Since 2018 |
| Runways | Single runway, 06/24 |
| Current Runway Length | ~1,707 m (5,600 ft); extension to 3,200 m planned |
| Elevation | 528 m / 1,850 ft AMSL |
| Coordinates | 22°43′18″N, 75°48′03″E |
| Distance from City Centre | ~8 km west |
| Passengers (2025–26) | 42,44,999 (+12.9% YoY) |
| Aircraft Movements (2025–26) | 34,906 (+3% YoY) |
| Cargo Tonnage (2025–26) | 17,148 tonnes (+23.4% YoY) |
| International Route (Direct) | Sharjah (daily — Air India Express, Air Arabia) |
| ₹1,470 Crore Plan | Runway to 3,200 m + international terminal expansion; target Q4 2027 |
| Airlines | IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express, Fly91, Star Air |
Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport Location: Bijasan Tekri in Western Indore
Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport is located at Bijasan Tekri (also spelled Bijasen Tekri), approximately 8 kilometres west of Indore city centre. Coordinates are 22°43′18″N, 75°48′03″E, at an elevation of 528 metres above mean sea level — the Malwa plateau elevation that characterises much of western Madhya Pradesh.
Indore’s identity as Madhya Pradesh’s financial capital gives the airport a commercial passenger base that is more diversified than the state capital Bhopal. The textile trade (Indore’s historic Sirpur and Loha Bazaar textile markets), chemical manufacturing at Pithampur Industrial Corridor (approximately 25 km west), pharmaceutical production, diamond jewellery, soybean processing, and a rapidly growing IT and startup ecosystem all generate sustained business aviation demand.
The airport also serves as a gateway to Mandu (approximately 95 km south) — the medieval Sultanate city that is one of central India’s most beautiful and least-visited heritage sites — and to Maheshwar (approximately 90 km south), an 18th-century riverside town built under Ahilyabai Holkar herself, with remarkable ghats, a fort, and the Narmada weaving tradition. The airport named after the queen serves as the air entry point to her own architectural legacy.
Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport Code: IATA IDR and ICAO VAID
The airport’s IATA code is IDR and its ICAO code is VAID. IDR is the booking identifier across all airline platforms for Indore. VAID places it in the VA western India block. The airport is a Customs Airport — a designation enabling customs clearance for international passengers and goods — and holds full international airport status following the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s 2017 designation and the commencement of scheduled international operations on 29 May 2019. Night landing facilities have been available since 2018, enabling round-the-clock operations.
Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport Terminal: Single Runway Hub With Expansion Critical
The airport operates from a single runway (06/24) currently approximately 1,707 metres long (5,600 feet) — the most significant operational constraint at IDR. This runway length limits the aircraft types that can operate commercially at full load and constrains the range of international destinations directly reachable from Indore. The planned extension to 3,200 metres is therefore the most consequential infrastructure project for the airport’s future.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation investment announcements from November 2025 confirm Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport is allocated ₹1,470 crore in the 2027–28 capital plan, primarily for runway extension to 3,200 metres and international terminal expansion targeting 1,200-passenger-per-hour international capacity by Q4 2027.
The terminal configuration involves two buildings — an older terminal that has been revamped (at a cost of ₹41 crore for renovation nearing completion as of April 2026) to add 200 seats and handle 18 additional ATR-class flights, and the main terminal. The old terminal now handles ATR flights including routes to Varanasi, Rajkot, Ahmedabad, and Raipur, as well as the Indore-Sharjah international flight.
The airport’s international trajectory has been meaningful but constrained by the runway. IDR operates daily direct flights to Sharjah on Air India Express and Air Arabia, plus 2 to 3 weekly Dubai charters in winter season. International designations for Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur are in the Airpaz routes database, reflecting the aspirational network. All other international destinations require a one-stop connection via Mumbai, Delhi, or Hyderabad. The runway extension to 3,200 metres by Q4 2027 would allow wide-body operations and direct routes to Gulf cities at full passenger loads, transforming IDR’s international potential.
Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport Connectivity: Central India’s Busiest, Growing Steadily
By Air (Domestic): Five airlines currently serve Indore: Air India, Air India Express, Fly91, IndiGo, and Star Air. IndiGo is the hub airline, accounting for approximately 5 times the departures of the next-largest carrier with around 220 scheduled weekly departures as of April 2026. Indore connects to 41 airports around the world across its network. Domestic routes cover Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Pune, Bhubaneswar, Kochi, Varanasi, Raipur, Rajkot, and more.
By Air (International): IDR operates daily direct flights to Sharjah on Air India Express and Air Arabia, plus 2 to 3 weekly Dubai charters in winter season. Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Dubai are accessible via connecting flights through major hubs. Cargo tonnage of 17,148 tonnes in 2025–26 (+23.4%) reflects growing industrial export activity.
By Road: Ola, Uber, and pre-paid taxis connect the airport to Indore city centre in approximately 15 to 25 minutes. The city bus stand is around 13 km from the airport. The Indore Bus Rapid Transit System (iBus) provides affordable city connectivity. Pithampur Industrial Area is approximately 25 km west.
By Rail: Indore Railway Station is around 11 km from the airport. Indore Junction serves the Ratlam-Indore-Mhow line and connects to Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Bhopal through the Western Railway and West Central Railway zones. The Indore-Patna Express, Avantika Express (Delhi), and Indore-Mumbai Trains are among key services.
Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport Amenities: Hub Airport Comfort With Expansion Coming
Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport provides a comprehensive set of amenities appropriate for central India’s busiest airport. Multiple restaurants and cafes serve Madhya Pradesh’s distinctive cuisine — Indore’s poha, Sabudana Khichdi, and its street food culture finds representation in airport dining. Retail shops include duty-free for international passengers, branded outlets, books, and travel essentials. Lounges — including airline lounges and pay-access options — serve eligible travellers.
Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal. ATMs and currency exchange counters are in place. Medical facilities are available. Wheelchair assistance and free trolleys are provided. CCTV surveillance covers the terminal comprehensively. Parking is available in organised lots. The 24/7 operational status enables late-night and early-morning international departures and arrivals.
The ₹41-crore renovation of the old terminal adding 200 seats was nearing completion as of April 2026, improving passenger comfort in the waiting areas. The major transformation — the ₹1,470-crore runway extension and international terminal expansion — is targeted for Q4 2027.
FAQs: Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport
Q1. What is the IATA code for Indore Airport?
The IATA code is IDR and the ICAO code is VAID. The airport is officially named Devi Ahilyabai Holkar International Airport, located at Bijasan Tekri, 8 km west of Indore city centre.
Q2. Who was Devi Ahilyabai Holkar?
Ahilyabai Holkar (1725–1795) was the Maharani-administrator of the Holkar dynasty’s Indore kingdom — a Maratha ruler celebrated for her administrative competence, religious patronage (she built or renovated ghats and temples across India), and the city of Maheshwar she developed on the Narmada. She is considered one of the greatest rulers in Indian history.
Q3. What is the direct international connectivity from Indore Airport?
Daily direct flights to Sharjah operated by Air India Express and Air Arabia are the confirmed regular international service. Seasonal Dubai charter flights operate in winter. A ₹1,470 crore runway extension to 3,200 metres by Q4 2027 will enable broader direct international routes.
Q4. Why is Indore Airport’s runway a constraint?
At approximately 1,707 metres (5,600 feet), the current runway is too short for full-load wide-body operations and limits the range of direct international destinations accessible at maximum capacity. The planned extension to 3,200 metres will resolve this.
Q5. How many passengers did Indore Airport handle in 2025–26?
Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport handled 42.44 lakh (4.24 million) passengers in 2025–26 — a 12.9% increase year-on-year — making it the busiest airport in central India and the 19th-busiest in India overall.
