Prayagraj, Prayagraj Airport, commemorating International Civil Aviation Day, has set a noteworthy record in handling domestic flights and passengers. Despite the recent discontinuation of some flights to select cities, the airport has secured the top position among all airports in Uttar Pradesh, as reported by officials.
In its 59 months of existence, Prayagraj Airport has transported over 23 lakh passengers and handled more than 29,000 flights. Inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 16, 2018, and operational since January 1, 2019, just before the formal start of the Kumbh fair, the airport’s growth has been commendable.
As of November 30, 2023, Prayagraj Airport stands as the leading domestic airport in Uttar Pradesh, surpassing 23 lakh passengers. While Lucknow and Varanasi airports excel in passenger numbers, they are classified as international airports. Keshari Devi Patel, Chairperson of the Prayagraj Airport Advisory Committee and Phulpur MP, commended the airport’s rapid growth. She expressed confidence that ongoing expansion works will enhance the airport’s capacity, enabling it to set more records in the future.
Presently, Indigo and Alliance Air operate services to nine cities from Prayagraj, with plans to connect more cities in anticipation of Mahakumbh-2025. The airport is undergoing a threefold expansion, costing around ₹175 crore, to accommodate additional passengers and aircraft. The terminal building, presently covering 6700 sq meters, is being expanded to 9500 sq meters. The passenger capacity will increase from 300 to 2970, and the airport will feature three new aerobridges.
The expansion also includes an increase in vehicle parking capacity from 200 cars to 450 cars, along with facilities for buses and app-operated taxis. Once completed, the expanded airport will accommodate parking for seven large and eight small aircraft simultaneously.
