DARBHANGA, Dec. 3 -- The Indian Air Force (IAF) is said to have conveyed its readiness to support flight operations for extended hours (watch hours) at Darbhanga airport, asking the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to deploy crucial operational staff if flight movements are to be increased beyond the current schedule of 9 am to 5 pm.

IAF's workforce stationed at Darbhanga is "just adequate" to meet existing operational requirements. To enable additional civil flights, AAI and the state government must ensure sustained deployment of essential ground personnel, according to people familiar with the matter.

For operations proposed between 5pm and 10pm, AAI has been asked to deploy "the entire set of operational personnel," including firef...