Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Thursday (January 11) announced that Uttar Pradesh is set to witness the inauguration of five new airports within the next month. This expansion will bring the total number of airports in the state to an impressive 19.
The announcement was made as Scindia flagged off a direct flight from Ayodhya to Ahmedabad, marking another milestone in the state’s efforts to enhance air connectivity.
Ayodhya’s Maharishi Valmiki International Airport
The inauguration of the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 30, 2023, has paved the way for increased air connectivity in Uttar Pradesh.
IndiGo, in collaboration with the central and state governments, commenced direct flights between Ayodhya and Ahmedabad, with plans to extend services to Delhi and Mumbai in the coming weeks.
Scindia outlined the ambitious plans for Ayodhya airport and informed that the runway would be extended to accommodate larger aircraft and facilitate international flights. The expansion aims to transform the airport into a key hub, aligned with the growing demand for air travel in the region.
UP CM Yogi Adityanath added that the airport’s expansion would not only enhance its passenger-handling capacity but also contribute to the economic development of the area.
Upcoming Airports in Azamgarh, Aligarh, Moradabad and more
Scindia shared the exciting news that five new airports would be inaugurated in Uttar Pradesh within the next month. These airports, located in Azamgarh, Aligarh, Moradabad, Chitrakoot, and Shravasti, underscore the commitment to fostering air travel accessibility across the state.
The upcoming inauguration of five new airports in Uttar Pradesh, coupled with the expansion plans for Ayodhya airport, marks a momentous chapter in the state’s journey towards enhanced air connectivity.
Sharp increase in air connectivity
The increased number of airports is expected to bolster tourism, business activities, and overall economic growth. Moreover, CM Yogi Adityanath noted a substantial growth of nearly 30 percent in air passengers in the state, reaching 96.02 lakh in the last financial year compared to 59.97 lakh in fiscal 2016-17.
Additionally, Scindia highlighted the remarkable growth in air connectivity in Uttar Pradesh over the last nine years. The state, which had 700 flight movements weekly in 2014, has seen an exponential increase to 1,654 flight movements per week, reflecting the success of concerted efforts to make air travel more accessible and convenient for the residents.