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SpotGenie Fact - The Airports in India Operated Jointly by AAI & The Indian Navy

India has a few rare airports where civilian flights operate under AAI, but the runways, airfield control, or major airside infrastructure belong to the Indian Navy. These “civil–military shared-use airports” offer a fascinating look into India's aviation cooperation model. Here are the key ones.

Pratik Kamble

06 Dec 2025 — 2 min read

SpotGenie Fact - The Airports in India Operated Jointly by AAI & The Indian Navy

Airports in India Operated Jointly by AAI & The Indian Navy

India follows a unique aviation model at a few strategic locations where civilian and military aviation operate from the same airfield. In these airports, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) manages the civilian terminal and passenger operations, while the Indian Navy controls the airfield or maintains a major presence.

These are known as civil–military shared-use airports.

✅ 1. INS Garuda - Kochi (Cochin International Airport’s earlier base)

One of the oldest Naval Air Stations in India
Historically accommodated civilian flights
Civil operations have since moved to Cochin International Airport (CIAL)
Still a major naval aviation hub
A classic example of civil–military shared use (historically)

✅ 2. Goa International Airport (Dabolim) - INS Hansa

The most prominent active civil–military shared airport in India
Civil terminal operated by AAI
Runway fully controlled by the Indian Navy (INS Hansa)
All civilian flight slots require naval clearance
One of India’s busiest tourist and charter airports
Now complemented by Mopa Airport, but Dabolim remains dual-use

✅ 3. Port Blair - Veer Savarkar International Airport (INS Utkrosh)

Civil terminal managed by AAI
Runway and airfield shared with INS Utkrosh, the Naval Air Station
Strategically important due to Andaman & Nicobar Command
One of the country’s most unique strategic civil–naval aviation partnerships

Why These Airports Are Special

They ensure efficient land use in sensitive coastal regions
Support defence preparedness without stopping civilian connectivity
Maintain strict coordination for runway access and flight slots
Represent a rare model of civilian infrastructure operating under military airfield control

India doesn’t have many such shared-use airports, which makes these aviation nodes uniquely fascinating.