Tezu was one of five airports that were shortlisted in 2015 for the implementation of AAI's "no-frills model", which will provide only essential services needed to operationalise the airport, without compromising on safety and security in any way. With an aim to ensure low cost of operation, the airport was to have no conveyor belts, no aerobridges and only the security hold area for departing passengers was likely to be air-conditioned.[8]
In 2009–10, the upgrade of the airport, with runway extension at an estimated cost of ₹79 crore, was approved.[9]
On 22 September 2017, a test flight landed on the runway after the airport was upgraded.[10]
Soon after the opening of the upgraded airport, the Ministry of Civil Aviation announced that a new, bigger passenger terminal, a new Air Traffic Control (ATC)-cum-fire station complex, apron and runway extension would be done in a span of four years, as part of the airport's future development and the government'sUDAN Scheme, also owing to the growing traffic and tourist arrivals in the state. The new terminal will cover an area of 4,000 sq.m. with a capacity of 300 passengers during peak hours. It will have five check-in counters, which will be increased to eight in the future. It will have a double-insulated roofing system, energy-efficient lighting systems, a solid waste management system, a water treatment plant and an integrated rainwater harvesting plant.
The airport has a 1,500 metre-runway, oriented 04/22, an apron for parking of twoATR-72 type aircraft, a passenger terminal building of 4,000 square-metre area,[12] capable of handling 300 passengers during peak hours. It has five check-in counters, which will be increased to eight in the future. It has a double-insulated roofing system, energy-efficient lighting systems, a solid waste management system, a water treatment plant and an integrated rainwater harvesting plant. Others are an Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower, a parking lot and ancillary facilities like a fire station and a fuel station.[4][13][14][11]
Scheduled commercial operations
Guwahati-Tezu-Guwahati scheduled commercial domestic flights operation commenced from 19 August 2021. The flight which takes 1 hour each way is operated by the FlyBig. This will boost the tourism in the region.[7] Tezu is covered under the UDAN scheme.
