New Delhi, Air India Express has announced the inauguration of its inaugural flight to Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, on December 30, well in advance of the upcoming consecration ceremony at the Ram Temple. The daily services connecting Delhi and Ayodhya are set to commence from January 16, 2024.
The Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram International Airport in Ayodhya boasts an extended runway suitable for A-321/B-737 type aircraft operations. The airport is slated to be inaugurated before the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple on January 22.
In a statement, Air India Express revealed that the inaugural flight (IX 2789) on December 30 is scheduled to depart from Delhi at 11:00 hours, reaching Ayodhya at 12:20 hours. The return flight (IX 1769) will depart from Ayodhya at 12:50 hours, arriving in Delhi at 14:10 hours. The transportation services are expected to facilitate travel for tourists heading to the Ram Mandir post the consecration ceremony.
Aloke Singh, Managing Director of Air India Express, expressed excitement about commencing operations from Ayodhya, emphasizing the airline’s commitment to enhancing connectivity from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities across the country.
Notably, IndiGo has also announced its plans to operate the inaugural flight from Delhi to Ayodhya airport on December 30, with commercial services beginning from January 6.
The Ram Mandir consecration ceremony, scheduled for January 22, has garnered significant attention. The construction, initiated in 2020 during the Covid lockdown, is set to conclude in 3.5 years. Invitations have been extended to over 1200 guests, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UP CM Yogi Adityanath, and other dignitaries.
