RANCHI: Jharkhand - a mineral-rich state which also has great potential to become a pilgrimage hub, a flourishing tourist hotspot and a robust industrial centre - is yet to find a place in the international aviation map.

The Birsa Munda Airport (BMA) in Ranchi, the state's lone full-fledged facility managed by the Airports Authority of India, does not enjoy the elite international status as it does not fulfil the civil aviation ministry's criterion in terms of runway length and other basic infrastructure. "Airlines will operate international flights from Ranchi on a regular, or even fortnightly, basis only when there are adequate passengers. Jharkhand is an industry-starved state. International flights are possible from Ranchi only if business flourishes in the state," said S P Sinha, director, Jharkhand civil aviation.

Only an airport with a runway length between 10,000 and 12,000 feet can enjoy the international status, said a senior state civil aviation department official. BMA only has a 9,000 feet runway, he added. "Work on the extension of the runway was initiated last year, but the project has been put on hold for the time being. Land acquisition issues have been sorted out with the state government and the army has been sorted out," Sinha said.