HomeInfrastructureAirportsAgartala Airport Tops Northeast in User Satisfaction

Agartala Airport Tops Northeast in User Satisfaction

Agartala’s Maharaja Bir Bikram (MBB) Airport has secured the top spot in the Northeast region and ranked 15th nationally in the Airports Authority of India’s (AAI) Customer Satisfaction Survey (CSS) Round 1, 2025. With a remarkable score of 4.77 out of 5, the airport’s ranking reflects a significant leap in service quality and infrastructure enhancement driven by a commitment to sustainable and inclusive development.

The announcement was made during the Airport Advisory Committee (AAC) meeting held on Saturday and chaired by West Tripura MP and former Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb. Officials attributed the achievement to continuous investments in service improvements, passenger-centric planning, and operational transparency. Over the last year, the airport has demonstrated measurable growth in both passenger numbers and service delivery. Handling over 1.4 million travellers annually, MBB Airport now stands as the second busiest airport in the Northeast after Guwahati. This growth trajectory affirms Agartala’s importance as a regional aviation hub while reinforcing the airport’s vision for equitable, eco-sensitive expansion.

A major catalyst for this success has been the implementation of the Inline Baggage Handling System (ILBHS), which became operational in early 2025. The system has drastically improved the speed and efficiency of baggage screening, reducing wait times and enabling smoother passenger movement. Not only has this uplifted user experience, but it has also contributed to lowering the airport’s carbon footprint by optimising energy usage and decreasing congestion. Airport Director K.C. Meena emphasised that technology-backed systems like ILBHS are part of a broader strategy to align operational goals with sustainability benchmarks. With enhanced baggage handling, cleaner energy use, and digitised passenger services, MBB Airport is becoming a model for mid-tier airport innovation in India.

Reflecting its goal to serve a diverse demographic with care and dignity, MBB Airport is set to launch a Child Care Room in collaboration with the wellness brand Himalaya. Designed to provide a safe, hygienic, and private environment for mothers and young children, the facility will support women travellers, create a more inclusive passenger experience, and underline the airport’s commitment to gender-neutral infrastructure. Officials have indicated that such socially responsive amenities are vital to positioning Agartala as a people-first airport. By ensuring comfort and dignity for all passengers—including parents, the elderly, and differently-abled individuals—the airport is raising the standard for equitable public spaces in the region.

The AAC also reviewed updates on the Kailashahar Airport development in Unakoti district, a project that is expected to significantly enhance regional air connectivity in North Tripura. Once operational, it will not only reduce travel time but also unlock economic and tourism opportunities for one of the state’s more remote regions. This infrastructure expansion represents more than just physical development—it is part of a strategy to decentralise growth, generate employment, and provide a viable gateway for trade and cultural exchange within and beyond India’s borders.

MBB Airport’s achievements are also rooted in its focus on environmental stewardship. Beyond infrastructure, the airport has incorporated solar-assisted power systems, waste recycling facilities, and energy-efficient lighting to reduce its carbon emissions. A state-of-the-art sewage treatment plant has been designed to manage wastewater without affecting surrounding ecosystems. These eco-friendly measures are aligned with national ambitions of zero-net carbon aviation infrastructure and serve as proof that smaller Indian cities can take big steps toward climate goals. By embedding green values into its growth blueprint, Agartala’s airport is paving the way for future-ready urban development.

One of the strengths behind this transformation is the unified approach of local and national stakeholders. The AAC meeting was attended by key administrative figures including District Magistrate Dr. Vishal Kumar, Municipal Commissioner D.K. Chama, Superintendent of Police Dr. Kiran Kumar, and several tourism and business leaders.

Their discussions centred not just on infrastructure but on service quality, passenger grievances, operational challenges, and long-term strategic planning. The broad-based participation reflects the increasing role of community input and civic transparency in infrastructure governance. This type of stakeholder synergy is crucial to ensuring that aviation infrastructure is not only technically sound but also socially responsive. By promoting participatory planning, Agartala is creating an airport that listens to its users and evolves with their needs.

Passengers travelling through MBB Airport have increasingly reported a positive experience, from faster check-ins to improved cleanliness and customer support. The CSS score itself—4.77 out of 5—is a clear marker of rising trust and loyalty. For an airport serving a growing number of travellers annually, this represents a significant victory. Frequent flyers and first-time travellers alike have acknowledged the improvements, pointing to visible changes in waiting times, baggage handling, and even the courtesy extended by staff. These testimonials, when viewed alongside the technical upgrades, complete the picture of an airport steadily earning public goodwill. The recognition from AAI’s survey is only one step in MBB Airport’s ongoing journey. Upcoming plans include further expansion of terminal facilities, a parallel taxiway, hangars, and a possible cross-border terminal linking Bangladesh, modelled on internationally successful frameworks. Each of these developments is underpinned by a commitment to sustainable design, digital adoption, and social equity.

By continuing to balance technological innovation with human-centric design, MBB Airport is on course to become a blueprint for second-tier city airports across India. Its story is not just about operational excellence, but about how airports can serve as engines of inclusive, sustainable, and climate-conscious urban development. Agartala has shown that a small city airport can have a big impact when vision, governance, and community converge. As passengers continue to enjoy its improved services, the city’s skyline—and its story—is rising with purpose and promise.

Also Read : Mumbai Airline Warned for Delayed Airbus Repair and Falsified Records

Agartala Airport Tops Northeast in User Satisfaction
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