The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is embarking on a significant expansion of Ayodhya airport to enhance its passenger handling capacity. The Rs 1,625 crore expansion plan aims to increase the airport’s annual capacity from 160,000 passengers to 6 million passengers.
Expansion Details
The expanded airport will cover 331 hectares, up from its current 141 hectares. A new passenger terminal will be built over 4.4 hectares, while the existing terminal, covering 0.6 hectares, will remain in operation during the project. The expansion project is expected to be completed within 28 months.
In addition to the terminal upgrade, the apron area of the airport will also be expanded. The number of aircraft bays will increase from 8 to 18, ensuring greater operational efficiency. The project has already received environmental clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment.
Rising Demand and Increased Flight Services
Since the inauguration of the revamped Ayodhya airport on December 30, 2023, and the Ram Mandir’s pran pratishtha ceremony in January 2024, there has been a significant surge in passenger traffic. Currently, the airport handles 174 flights per week, serving cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad. A year ago, the airport handled only 154 flights per week.
IndiGo is the largest operator at the airport, running 64 services per week, up from 36 services a year ago. SpiceJet also operates 42 services per week from Ayodhya airport.
Expected Impact
The expansion will accommodate the growing demand and enhance the airport’s ability to serve more passengers and flights. With improved infrastructure and capacity, the airport will better support the increasing number of visitors to Ayodhya, especially due to the Ram Mandir’s rising significance.
By expanding the airport’s facilities, AAI aims to strengthen Ayodhya’s connectivity, further boosting its prominence as a key travel destination.
