Air India Express is set to launch its inaugural flight to Ayodhya from Delhi on December 30, with daily scheduled services starting from January 16. The Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram International Airport in Ayodhya has an extended runway suitable for A-321/B-737 type aircraft.
Timings of the first flight
The inaugural flight, IX 2789, is scheduled to depart from Delhi at 1100 hours and arrive in Ayodhya at 1220 hours. The return flight, IX 1769, will depart Ayodhya at 1250 hours and land in Delhi at 1410 hours.
Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities
Air India Express, a subsidiary of Air India, emphasises its commitment to enhancing connectivity from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. The Ayodhya airport, developed at a cost of around Rs 350 crore by the Airports Authority of India, received its aerodrome license from the DGCA on December 14.
IndiGo also plans to operate flights to Ayodhya
IndiGo is set to become the inaugural airline operating from the Ayodhya airport, adding Ayodhya as its 86th domestic destination. The first flight from Delhi to Ayodhya is slated to land on December 30, 2023. Commercial operations for the direct route between Delhi and Ayodhya will kick off on January 6, 2024, with additional tri-weekly flights connecting Ahmedabad and Ayodhya starting from January 11, 2024.
Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced on December 8 that the airport will be ready by the end of the month, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating it.