The Raja Bhoj Airport at Bhopal witnessed the successful trial landing of the Code-E Boeing 777-300ER aircraft for VVIP transport by the Indian Air Force on March 25, 2025.
It is reportedly the first airport in Madhya Pradesh to achieve this milestone. The aircraft spans a length of 74 metres and has a wingspan of 64.8 metres.
The airport underwent infrastructure upgrades and extensive groundwork and structural modifications including an expansion of the runway turnpads and taxiway, and authorisation from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) facilitating it to accommodate B-777 300ER aircraft with restricted take-off weight. Additionally, revisions were made to the air traffic control procedures to meet the Code-E aircraft requirements.
The move signifies the airport’s capability to handle wide-body aircraft, and marks a milestone in the aviation history of Madhya Pradesh.