The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has announced a monumental ₹1,625 crore expansion initiative for Maharshi Valmiki International Airport to accommodate the surge in passenger traffic following the consecration of the Ram Mandir, according to Indiatimes.
Designed to significantly bolster capacity and modernize infrastructure, the project is set to meet the escalating demand fueled by the influx of visitors to Ayodhya.
Scheduled for completion within 28 months, the expansion will catapult the airport’s annual passenger handling capacity from a modest 0.16 million passengers per annum (MPPA) to an impressive 6 MPPA.
This large-scale enhancement follows the grand opening of the Ram Mandir on 22 January 2024, which has turned Ayodhya into a focal point for travelers nationwide.
To facilitate the growing air traffic, the number of aircraft bays will increase from 8 to 18, ensuring streamlined flight operations and accommodating a greater number of airlines, thereby strengthening the city’s connectivity.
With a substantial rise in footfall, the total airport area is set to expand from 141 hectares to 331 hectares, promising enhanced facilities and heightened operational efficiency. The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has already granted environmental clearance, expediting the project’s execution.
Since its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 30 December 2023, Maharshi Valmiki International Airport has established direct air connectivity with six major Indian cities—Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad.
Currently, Ayodhya witnesses an average of 10 to 11 daily flight operations, serviced by three carriers: IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Air India Express.
