Indian Coast Guard to facilitate civil flights at Ratnagiri

By Raju Vernekar

Mumbai: In a landmark move to enhance air connectivity of residents of Ratnagiri and adjoining area, Indian Coast Guard Air Station Ratnagiri and Maharashtra Airport Development Company Limited (MADC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 05 Jul 2026 Sunday.

The MoU was signed between DIG Kunal C Naik, TM, Commanding Officer ICGAS Ratnagiri and Vice Chairman and Managing Director, MADC Deepak Kapoor.

This will facilitate scheduled civil flight operations from Ratnagiri under the “Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik Regional Connectivity scheme”(UDAN RCS). The agreement establishes a robust framework where commercial flights will take wing under strict Military Aviation Regulations while ensuring that strategic defense priorities remain completely unhindered.

Indian Coast Guard Air Station Ratnagiri will provide Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Services to civil flights in addition to services of Navigational / Operational aids under UDAN RCS scheme. The 1.8 Km long runway will facilitate operation of civil aircraft while the civil terminal is in final stages of construction and is likely to be completed soon. The arrival of civil flights at Ratnagiri will ensure enhanced connectivity and subsequent development of the city as a regional hub.

Ratnagiri Airport is officially preparing for commercial flight operations, with the terminal building nearing 90% completion. The airport is equipped with an extended runway, night landing facilities, and an Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower to accommodate commercial aircraft.

 At present, the airport is being used as a Coast Guard Air Station mainly for coastal surveillance and search and rescue. The present Ratnagiri Airport terminal building has minimal facilities, meant for limited passenger movement. The airport has one terminal. The new building will accommodate more facilities to cater to increased passenger traffic once commercial flights resume.

 On the occasion of agreement signing ceremony, Maharashtra Industries Minister Uday Samant announced that the airport will be fully ready for flight operations and passenger use within three months. He thanked Defense Minister Rajnath Singh for all help. The project was moving speedily due to active involvement of the MADC VC and MD Deepak Kapoor, District Collector Manoj Jindal, MADC CEO Vaidehi Ranade and Superintendent of Police Nitin Bagate, Samant added.

 The required funds will be made available from his MLA fund. To promote tourism a fivestar hotel and an adventure park will be set up. The stalls will be made available in the airport complex for women’s self-help group, to provide them a source of income, Samant said adding that all should come forward to ensure development of Ratnagiri district.

 Ratnagiri Airport is an airport in the Konkan area of Maharashtra that serves locally. It is located about 10 kilometres from the city of Ratnagiri. It serves as an important point of entry to the stunning Konkan coast. The airport has been proposed to be renovated extensively by the Airports Authority of India. It has been undertaken with the intention of promoting travel and tourism in the area.

 History of Ratnagiri airport

The Public Works Department of the Indian Government constructed the airport in 1973. Flight operations at the airport were conducted by Vayudoot. The airlines offered flights from Ratnagiri Airport to Mumbai before it shut down.

 In 1997, the airport was taken over by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC). The initiative was taken to carry out maintenance and development works. In 2008, the airport was then transferred to the Indian Coast Guard by the Maharashtra government, for the establishment of an air station.