Uttar Pradesh's Airports: A Comprehensive Overview

Uttar Pradesh is a state in India with a rich cultural and political history. It is easily accessible due to its robust network of airports, which include international, domestic, air stations, and customs. The state will soon have five international airports, the most in the country. Uttar Pradesh currently has 14 operational airports, with three international airports in Lucknow, Varanasi, and Kushinagar. The state also has several domestic airports, including in cities such as Agra, Bareilly, Gorakhpur, and Kanpur. These airports play a crucial role in connecting Uttar Pradesh with the rest of the world, facilitating trade, tourism, and cultural exchange.

Airports in Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh's busiest airports

Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state in India, has a robust network of airports, serving as vital transportation hubs in North India. The state has several domestic and international airports, catering to the diverse needs of its populace and visitors. Here is a detailed overview of Uttar Pradesh's busiest airports:

Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (Lucknow Airport), Lucknow

Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport is the second busiest and largest airport in Central and Northern India after Indira Gandhi International Airport. Established in 1986, the airport is located within 17.9 km of Lucknow's city centre. It has two passenger terminals, with Terminal 1 catering to international flights and Terminal 2 handling domestic departures and arrivals. The airport is operated by Adani Airport Holdings and provides various amenities, including restaurants, cafes, duty-free shops, lounges, and more.

Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (Varanasi Airport), Varanasi

Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, named after the former Indian Prime Minister, is one of the busiest airports in Uttar Pradesh. Established in 1924, the airport is located about 25.8 km from the Varanasi junction. It features three terminals for domestic, international, and cargo operations. The airport offers basic amenities such as restrooms, ATMs, a cafeteria, and a VIP lounge. It also provides car rental and parking facilities.

Prayagraj Airport, Allahabad (Bamrauli Airport)

Prayagraj Airport, previously known as Allahabad Airport, is one of the oldest airports in India, with operations starting in 1931. It is the third busiest airport in Uttar Pradesh, after Lucknow and Varanasi. The airport is jointly operated by the Airport Authority of India and the Indian Air Force. It has a single terminal with a capacity for 120 people and an 8400-foot runway for domestic flights. The government plans to develop this airport into an international one by Kumbh 2025.

Kanpur Airport, Kanpur

Kanpur Airport, officially known as Kanpur Chakeri Airport, is a domestic airport located in the Kanpur Cantt neighbourhood. It is situated about 11.8 km from the city junction. The airport has a single-passenger terminal catering to domestic flights and can handle narrow-body aircraft such as the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737. It is operated by the Airports Authority of India and is undergoing expansion to handle larger aircraft and more passengers.

Gorakhpur Airport, Gorakhpur

Gorakhpur Airport, officially known as Sri Mahayogi Gorakhnath Airport, is located about 8.6 km from Gorakhpur's centre. It is one of the busiest airports in Uttar Pradesh in terms of passenger traffic. The airport has a single terminal that handles arrivals and departures, with a capacity to accommodate 18 passengers overall. It offers assistance for disabled passengers and other services.

Uttar Pradesh's well-connected network of airports plays a crucial role in promoting tourism, economic development, and efficient transportation within the state and the country. These busy airports cater to the diverse travel needs of the region, contributing to its growth and connectivity.

Airports under construction in Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh is set to become the only state in India with five international airports. The state currently has 27 airports, including customs, military, domestic, and international airports.

There are several airports under construction in Uttar Pradesh, including:

• Noida International Airport, Noida (also known as Jewar International Airport)
• Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram International Airport, Ayodhya
• Muirpur Airport, Muirpur (also known as Myorpur Airport)
• Shravasti Airport, Shravasti
• Sarsawa Airport, Saraswa (also known as Saharanpur Airport)
• Moradabad Airport, Moradabad
• Lalitpur Airport, Lalitpur
• Chitrakoot Airport, Chitrakoot
• Azamgarh Airport, Azamgarh
• Aligarh Airport, Aligarh

These new airport projects will help boost connectivity, promote tourism, and enhance trade and commerce in the region. The Uttar Pradesh government has also announced that the state will soon have over 20 operational airports, including the five international airports.

International airports in Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state in India, and it is home to several airports that serve as vital gateways to the region. There are currently three fully operational international airports in Uttar Pradesh, with two more proposed to be functional by 2023-24. This will make Uttar Pradesh the only state in India with five international airports. Here is a detailed list of the international airports in Uttar Pradesh:

Kushinagar International Airport (Kushinagar)

Uttar Pradesh's newest international airport, Kushinagar International Airport, began operations in 2021. Located around 7.3 km from Kushinagar, the airport primarily serves international pilgrims travelling to Lord Buddha's Mahaparinirvana Sthal. The airport has a single passenger terminal that handles all domestic and international flights. It is estimated to have cost Rs. 260 crores to build.

Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (Lucknow)

Also known as Amausi Airport, Lucknow's Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport is the second busiest and largest airport in Central and Northern India after Indira Gandhi International Airport. Established in 1986, the airport is located within 17.9 km of Lucknow's city centre. It has two passenger terminals, with Terminal 1 catering to international flights and Terminal 2 handling domestic departures and arrivals. The Adani Group intends to develop a new terminal building to increase its handling capacity.

Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (Varanasi)

The Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, also known as Babatpur Airport, dates back to 1924. Named after former Indian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, it is one of the busiest airports in Uttar Pradesh. Located about 25.8 km from the Varanasi junction, the airport has three terminals for domestic, international, and cargo operations. The Airport Authority of India has proposed expanding its runway.

Noida International Airport (Noida)

Also known as Jewar International Airport, Noida International Airport is a proposed international airport serving the National Capital Region (NCR). It is being developed under a public-private partnership model and is expected to be functional by 2023-24.

Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram International Airport (Ayodhya)

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is constructing the Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram International Airport in Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh. The development is anticipated to be completed by September 2023. With a terminal building spanning 6250 sqm, it will be able to accommodate up to 300 passengers during peak hours.

Domestic airports in Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh has various medium and small-sized airports that can operate and host flights. Almost all major public and private carriers provide their services to Uttar Pradesh, including Indian (formerly known as Indian Airlines), Sahara Airlines, Air Deccan, Kingfisher, and Indigo Airlines.

The state currently has three international airports, with two more under construction. Uttar Pradesh will soon be the only state in India with five international airports.

Prayagraj Airport, Allahabad

Previously known as Allahabad Airport, Prayagraj Airport is one of the oldest airports in India, with operations beginning in 1931. It is the third busiest airport in Uttar Pradesh, after Varanasi and Lucknow. The airport is jointly operated by the Airport Authority of India and the Indian Air Force. The government plans to develop this airport into an international airport by Kumbh 2025.

Kanpur Airport, Kanpur

The Chakeri Air Force Station, also known as Kanpur Airport, is situated in the Kanpur Cantt neighbourhood, 11.8 km from the city junction. In the 1970s, this airport served both the air force and the general public, connecting some of the main cities in India. It was restarted in 2016 after being shut down for a long period.

Gorakhpur Airport, Gorakhpur

Sri Mahayogi Gorakhnath Airport, formerly known as Gorakhpur Airport, is located 8.6 km from the centre of Gorakhpur. It is one of the busiest airports in Uttar Pradesh in terms of passenger traffic, after Varanasi and Lucknow.

Hindon Airport, Ghaziabad

Hindon Airport is located 13.5 km from Ghaziabad and is a civil enclave in Uttar Pradesh. It is the second commercial airport in the Delhi NCR region, after Indira Gandhi International Airport, and serves the city of Ghaziabad. Since 2019, only two regional flights have been operating to Hubli and Kalaburgi.

Bareilly Airport, Izzatagar

Inaugurated in 2019, Bareilly Airport is used by the Indian Air Force as a base and is also utilised for commercial activities as it is part of a civic enclave. The airport is situated 8.8 km from Bareilly Junction. Domestic flights serving major Indian cities are available from this airport. Major airlines such as Jet Airways, Indian Airlines, and Kingfisher operate flights from here.

Agra Airport, Agra

Agra Airport, often called Kheria Airport, is a domestic airport located 4.9 km from the centre of Agra. The airport was established as an Indian Air Force base in 1947. Currently, only a few airlines, such as IndiGo, Air India, and Alliance Air, offer service to and from Agra Airport.

Muirpur Airport, Muirpur

Muirpur Airport, also known as Myorpur Airport, is an upcoming airport in Uttar Pradesh. The current government airstrip is being improved to develop this airport. The airport will serve the region known as the "Energy Capital of India," which is home to several electrical generating plants.

Shravasti Airport, Shravasti

Shravasti Airport is an upcoming domestic airport in the city of Shravasti in Uttar Pradesh. The airport is being built in three stages by renovating the current airstrip, previously used solely by the government and VIPs. The first phase has been completed, and the airport is expected to be operational by the end of the first quarter of 2025.

Sarsawa Airport, Saraswa

Sarsawa Airport, also known as Saharanpur Airport, is a planned civil enclave near the Indian Air Force's Sarsawa Air Force Station. The airport's civil terminal will be built 20 km from Saharanpur and 2.5 km from Sarsawa.

Moradabad Airport, Moradabad

Moradabad Airport is located on National Highway 9 between Moradabad and Rampur in Uttar Pradesh. It is being developed by improving the current government airstrip. In February 2014, the Uttar Pradesh government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to develop this airstrip. As of February 2023, construction on this airport, along with five others in the state, is nearing completion.

Lalitpur Airport, Lalitpur

Lalitpur Airport is a planned airport in Uttar Pradesh. It is a defunct airstrip that has been out of service since it was established during World War II. The Airports Authority of India owns this airstrip. In March 2021, the Uttar Pradesh Government approved the construction of an airport at Lalitpur.

Chitrakoot Airport, Chitrakoot

Chitrakoot Airport is a domestic airport currently under development and will serve the city of Chitrakoot. The existing airfield with a runway is owned by the government of Uttar Pradesh' Civil Aviation Department. In January 2019, the State Government decided to extend the airstrip and build an airport terminal by obtaining additional property from the Forest Department. It will be the first "tabletop airport" in India and is expected to be operational by the end of 2025.

Azamgarh Airport, Azamgarh

Azamgarh Airport is a planned airport in Uttar Pradesh. The government is building it by upgrading an existing government airstrip. As of now, the only destination envisaged for direct flights from this airport is Lucknow under the Regional Connectivity Scheme UDAN.

Aligarh Airport, Aligarh

Aligarh Airport is an upcoming domestic airport located on the outskirts of Aligarh city. The government is developing it by improving an existing airstrip. This airport, along with five others, is expected to be functional by the end of 2025. Currently, the government has planned direct flights from this airport to Lucknow and Kanpur under the Regional Connectivity Scheme UDAN.

Airports in Uttar Pradesh with military use

Uttar Pradesh is served by several airports, including major international airports and domestic terminals. There are over 20 airports in the state, including international, domestic, air stations, and customs. Here is a list of airports in Uttar Pradesh that have military use:

Agra Airport (Kheria Air Force Station)

Agra Airport operates as both a civil airport and an Indian Air Force base. It is one of the largest air bases in the country and is jointly operated by the Airports Authority of India and the Indian Air Force. The airport is located about 13 kilometres from the Taj Mahal, making it a convenient entry point for visitors to this iconic monument.

Bareilly Airport

Bareilly Airport is part of a civil enclave, which means that it is used by the Indian Air Force as a base and for commercial purposes. It is located about 8.8 kilometres from Bareilly Junction. Major airlines such as Jet Airways, Indian Airlines, and Kingfisher operate flights from this airport to major cities in India.

Prayagraj Airport

Prayagraj Airport is a public airport that also houses a military base. It is jointly operated by the Airport Authority of India and the Indian Air Force. The airport has one terminal and sees daily flights from across the country.

Kanpur Airport (Chakeri Air Force Station)

The Kanpur Airport, also known as the Chakeri Air Force Station, is situated in the Kanpur Cantt neighbourhood, about 11.8 kilometres from the city junction. In the 1970s, this airport served both the air force and the general public with flights connecting some of the main cities in India. It was restarted in 2016 after being shut down for a long period.

Uttar Pradesh also has several other airports with military connections, including the following:

• Kushinagar International Airport
• Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport
• Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport
• Noida International Airport (under construction)
• Muirpur Airport (under construction)
• Sarsawa Airport (under construction)
• Moradabad Airport (under construction)
• Azamgarh Airport (under construction)

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