The headquarters of the Airport Authority has given final nod for 24-hour flight operation from Raja Bhoj Airport. The authority is trying to implement this decision as soon as possible but due to less number of CISF personnel, this decision is not being implemented immediately.

The authority had decided to include Bhopal airport in the list of airports with 24-hour flight operations from April 1, but it got delayed due to time taken to complete the formalities. Now the headquarter of the authority has given its approval. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security has put its seal of approval on this decision. According to the airport management, before implementing this decision, the number of fire personnel has been increased so that late night flights can land safely.

Airport Director Ramji Awasthi said that all the necessory preparations have been completed from our side for 24 hour flight operations. Additional staff has been deployed in ATC. The decision will be implemented as soon as the number of CISF personnel increases. At present, 169 CISF officers and jawans are deployed in the security of the airport. Their number has to be reduced to at least 220 for late night security. The airport will continue to be open as the numbers increase. At present, flights operate from 6 am to 10 pm only. With 24-hour flight operation, late night flights will start from Bhopal like metros. These flights have lower fares than normal flights. Many international flights operate late at night from Delhi and Mumbai. Travellers here can also get connecting flights for this at low fares.