Fursatganj is a town in Amethi district, Uttar Pradesh — a district that carries significant political weight as the Gandhi family constituency of Rae Bareli and Amethi and whose industrial character has historically been shaped by Ordnance Factories at Korwa and the related defence manufacturing cluster. Fursatganj Airfield is better known to Indian aviation as the home of the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA) — established in 1986, one of India’s premier government-run flying academies for Commercial Pilot Licence training. The airfield carries ICAO code VIRB (also referenced as VERB in some databases — Wikipedia lists VERB, while metar-taf.com lists VIRB) and no IATA code. Under the UDAN scheme, AAI has notified plans for development of Fursatganj for regional commercial operations (apron, taxi track, and associated works). Only unscheduled charter flights operate as of mid-2026. The airfield serves Amethi and Rae Bareli districts.
Quick Overview: Fursatganj Airfield
| Detail | Information |
| Airport Name | Fursatganj Airfield (also: Fursatganj Airport) |
| Location | Fursatganj, Amethi district, Uttar Pradesh, India – 229302 |
| Serves | Amethi and Rae Bareli districts |
| Airport Type | Public — Functional airfield (no scheduled commercial flights) |
| IATA Code | None (Wikipedia: IATA none) |
| ICAO Code | VIRB (metar-taf.com) / VERB (Wikipedia) |
| Owner | Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India |
| Operator | Airports Authority of India (AAI) |
| Key Institution | Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA) — est. 1986 |
| Runway Designation | 09/27 |
| Elevation | 109 m / 359 ft AMSL |
| Coordinates | 26°15′06″N, 81°23′11″E |
| Nearest Weather Station | Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport, Lucknow (~75 km) |
| Flight Information Region | Delhi FIR |
| UDAN Development | AAI notified: Construction of Apron, Taxi Track and Associated Works for RCS operations |
| Scheduled Commercial Flights | None (unscheduled charter only) |
Fursatganj Airfield Location: IGRUA’s Avadi Plain Campus
Fursatganj Airfield is located in Fursatganj town, Amethi district, at coordinates 26°15′06″N, 81°23′11″E, at an elevation of 109 metres. The flat terrain of the Avadh plains — between the Sai and Gomti rivers — provides the open airspace essential for a training academy that runs dozens of circuits and navigation exercises daily.
The airfield’s significance comes almost entirely from IGRUA — Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi, India’s premier government flying academy established in 1986 under the Ministry of Civil Aviation. IGRUA trains commercial pilots from across India, operates a fleet of Cessna and other light trainer aircraft, and has produced thousands of commercial pilots who now fly on IndiGo, Air India, and other Indian and international carriers. The academy’s presence makes Fursatganj airfield one of the most active training aerodromes in northern India even without commercial passenger flights.
Rae Bareli city is approximately 30 km south. Lucknow is approximately 75 km northwest. Amethi town is approximately 30 km southeast. The planned UDAN commercial connectivity would serve both Amethi and Rae Bareli districts — collectively home to approximately 4 million residents.
Code, Terminal and UDAN Development
ICAO VIRB (metar-taf.com) / VERB (Wikipedia) — the discrepancy between sources is noted. No IATA code is assigned. AAI has formally notified a UDAN infrastructure project for Fursatganj: construction of an apron, taxi track, and associated works for regional connectivity scheme operations. Once this is complete and a DGCA aerodrome licence for public use is issued, the airfield will be eligible for UDAN airline bids. A direct Delhi-NCR route is cited in Wikipedia’s sourcing as the initially planned commercial service.
Connectivity and Amenities
By Air: No scheduled commercial flights. IGRUA training flights are the dominant aviation activity. Charter aircraft use the airfield occasionally.
By Road: Fursatganj is on the Fursatganj-Lucknow road. Lucknow is approximately 75 km (1.5 hours). Rae Bareli is approximately 30 km. Amethi approximately 30 km. UPSRTC buses serve inter-district routes.
By Rail: Rae Bareli Junction (30 km south) is on the Delhi-Varanasi Central Railway mainline — trains to Delhi (~4 hours by express), Varanasi, Mumbai.
No public commercial passenger amenities exist. IGRUA’s campus has its own training and residential infrastructure.
FAQs: Fursatganj Airfield
Q1. Does Fursatganj Airfield have an IATA code?
No IATA code has been assigned. Wikipedia lists IATA as none. The ICAO code is VIRB (pilot databases) or VERB (Wikipedia).
Q2. What is IGRUA at Fursatganj?
Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi — established 1986 — is India’s premier government flying academy for Commercial Pilot Licence training, co-located with the airfield.
Q3. Are there commercial flights from Fursatganj?
No scheduled commercial flights operate. Only unscheduled charter flights use the airfield. UDAN development of apron and taxi track infrastructure is planned.
Q4. What districts does Fursatganj Airfield serve?
Amethi and Rae Bareli districts — a combined population of approximately 4 million in the Avadh-Bundelkhand region.
Q5. What is the planned commercial route from Fursatganj?
A Delhi-NCR connection is the initially planned commercial route per Wikipedia’s sourcing. No commercial service had commenced as of mid-2026.
