The largest pre-Independence era airport, built by the Nizams at Mamnoor in Warangal district may be now set to do a vanishing act soon, thanks to the apathy of the authorities. While local residents continue to battle for the development of the airport, to bring it to current AAI specifications, political leaders and other public representatives are allegedly conspiring with corporations to use the land for other purposes.

On Thursday, hundreds of women participated in a rally to the Mamnoor airport runway, in a protest where they also used 'rangolis' to express themselves against the move. They also shouted slogans against Seemandhra leaders and the chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy, accusing them of duping the Telangana people. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) had agreed to develop the airports at Mamnoor and Kadapa simultaneously, and even signed an MoU to the effect on March 30, 2007. However, the authority has thus far concentrated only on Kadapa airport.

The airport at Mamnoor was established in 1930 by the Nizam nawab, along with one at Sholapur to benefit the businesses, at Sirpurkagaznagar for the paper industry's convenience, and to help industries like the Azam Zahi mills at Warangal. It was the largest airport in the country at the time, spread over 1875 acres with a 6.6 kms runway, a pilot and staff quarters, a pilot training centre and more than one terminal. It remained in service until 1981. Numerous PMs and Presidents have landed at the airport until 1981, and during the Indo-China war, it served as a hangar for government aircraft as the Delhi airport was a target in combat. Many cargo and Vayudooth services also used it as their service hub.