Kolkata: The Kolkata airport, celebrating 100 years of flight operations, has witnessed a rich history—from hosting dignitaries like Queen Elizabeth II and Cuban President Fidel Castro to seeing iconic aircraft such as the Concorde and Beluga XL. It has also endured mishaps and remarkable milestones.According to a PTI report, notable foreign dignitaries such as Egyptian President Abdel Nasser, disability rights advocate Helen Keller, and former Bangladesh President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman have landed at the airport, one of India’s oldest. In 1994, the world’s first supersonic commercial jet, the Concorde, touched down, and in 2024, the massive Beluga XL cargo plane made its debut landing.The Airports Authority of India (AAI) recently announced the centenary celebrations of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (NSCBI), previously known as Dum Dum Airport. These celebrations, marking the airport’s journey since 1924, promise to honor its legacy through exhibitions and events.From its beginnings as a strategic stopover to becoming a global aviation hub, the airport has seen significant development and modernisation. However, it has also experienced its share of challenges, including accidents, the report added.

Key Historic Events and Mishaps 1) Aircraft Collisions: Records show that a Hermes aircraft collided with a Dakota plane while landing on the wrong runway in the 1950s. Another near-accident occurred in December 2008 when a private airline landed on a closed runway. 2) Crashes: In June 1968, a Pan Am Boeing 707 crashed near the airport, resulting in six fatalities, though 57 passengers were rescued. 3) Amelia Earhart’s Stopover: In June 1937, Amelia Earhart stopped at Dum Dum Airport during her quest to circumnavigate the globe. Her plane later disappeared over the Pacific, leaving behind one of aviation’s greatest mysteries. 4) Visits by World Leaders: The airport hosted Fidel Castro in 1973, Helen Keller in 1955, and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1972. A historic photo features Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Egyptian President Abdel Nasser after the Bandung Conference in 1955, which laid the groundwork for the Non-Aligned Movement. 5) Scientific Luminaries: In 1950, Nobel laureate Sir Robert Robinson was received by Indian scientists Satyen Bose and Meghnad Saha at the airport. 6) Royal and Political Visits: Photos in the airport archives capture moments such as Queen Elizabeth II’s visit in 1961, Indira Gandhi inaugurating the terminal in 1970, and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose with his family in front of an airport hangar. Modern Contributions and Upcoming CelebrationsThe Kolkata airport has been a pioneer in Indian aviation, hosting the Bengal Flying Club in 1929, becoming a hub for jet services in 1964, and opening a dedicated cargo terminal in 1975. Renamed in 1995 as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, its new integrated terminal, inaugurated in 2013, blends heritage with innovation, positioning it as the gateway to East and Northeast India.The centenary celebrations will begin on December 21, inaugurated by Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu, and continue until March 29, 2025. Highlights include an exhibition showcasing old photographs, documents, and stories of the airport’s history, displayed throughout the year in the terminal building, the PTI report said. (With inputs from PTI)