In 2010, the length of the runway was increased to, making it possible for larger aircraft to land at Bhopal. The first direct seasonal international flight from Bhopal was to Jeddah, a Hajj charter flown by Saudia on 23 October 2010 for Hajj travellers.
Renewable energy
In 2013, the airport became the first airport in the state to use solar power for running its utility grid system. A 100-kilowatt solar power plant was made operational in June 2013, with plans to install a 2-megawatt solar power plant at the airport in the future. The airport has night landing facilities, an Instrument Landing System and CAT VII fire services.
Cargo and Logistics hub
A new Air Cargo Hub is being planned with 17 acres land sanctioned near the airport for the same, while for now, the old terminal building is being redeveloped into a Cargo Complex to increase cargo operations from the capital airport. The temporary Air Cargo Complex will be inaugurated by October 2019.
Immigration check post and International flights
In September, the DGCA started the process for granting international status to Raja Bhoj airport. In November 2019, a joint central team composed of members of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Civil Aviation visited the airport to review the arrangements in starting immigration facilities, and did not find any major hurdles. With this, the airport is all set to become an immigration check post, which is a mandatory requirement for operating international flights.
Integrated terminal
The integrated terminal building worth Rs 1.35 billion was inaugurated on 28 June 2011 by the then Civil Aviation minister, Vayalar Ravi. The state government had given 400 acres of land for the construction of international terminal. The terminal building is built over an area of and has 14 check-in counters, 4 immigration counters for departures and 6 immigration counters for arrival. It also has twenty-two customs counters, 11 for arrival and 11 for departure, and six X-ray machines for security. The terminal, now, also has an eatery and a few retail stores, that were developed as part of the Airport Authority of India scheme of master concessionaire. The terminal is connected with 2 aerobridges. A third aerobridge will be constructed by mid-October 2019.
