Purnea Airport
Indian Air Force MI-17 V5 Medium Lift Helicopter on standby at Air Force Station Purnea
IATA: none ICAO: VEPU
Summary
Airport type	Military
Operator	Indian Air Force
Location	Chunapur, Purnia
Commander	LAC Smart
Elevation AMSL	39 m / 129 ft
Coordinates	25°45′35″N 087°24′36″E / 25.75972°N 87.41000°E / 25.75972; 87.41000
Map
VEPU Location in Bihar Show map of Bihar VEPU Location in India Show map of India VEPU Location in Asia Show map of Asia
Runways
Direction Length Surface ft m 09/27 11,000 3,352 Concrete

Airforce Station Purnea (ICAO: VEPU) is located in Purnia in the state of Bihar, India. This is the base of Indian Air Force. This airport was built for supplies^[1] to Indian Army in Sino-Indian War. This airbase is used as backup in the region of North East Corridor.

Recent development

It has been selected in UDAN 4 scheme of the Government of India. Airport Authority of India has given official nod for flight operations though in bidding process none of Airlines shown interest. The Government of Bihar too unable to acquire whole 50 acres land for the construction of passenger terminal, VIP lounge, cargo terminal and 3 acres for road connectivity which is incomplete due to various court cases filed by some farmers in Patna High Court. Runway is being repaired to facilitate landing of multiple flights. It will benefit the people of Eastern region of Bihar, Jharkhand and Eastern Terai region of Nepal, especially Madhepura, Purnia, Katihar, Araria, Kishanganj, Bhagalpur, Sahibganj and Biratnagar. Recently the land acquisition has finished and the land is handed over to state aviation department.