Prayagraj Airport has undergone a remarkable transformation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Civil Aviation Minister Shri Ram Mohan Naidu, becoming a world-class gateway to the city of devotion, culture, and the grand Mahakumbh Mahotsav. Extensive modernisation and expansion efforts were carried out to accommodate the influx of devotees visiting the city for the festival, scheduled from January 13 to February 26, 2025.
The modernisation efforts included a significant expansion of the airport terminal area from 6,700 sq. m. to 25,500 sq. m., allowing for a peak-hour passenger capacity of 1,080 in the old terminal and 1,620 in the new terminal. Parking capacity increased from 200 to 600 vehicles, while check-in counters rose from 8 to 42, and XBIS-HB machines from 4 to 10. Aircraft movement efficiency was bolstered by an additional taxi track, increasing parking bays from 4 to 15, conveyor belts from 2 to 5, and gates from 4 to 11.
For the first time in 106 years, night flights were introduced, enabling 24/7 operations. The enhanced facilities now cater to an increased number of passengers, with lounges, childcare rooms, additional aerobridges, and more security infrastructure, such as door-framed metal detectors. F&B counters were expanded, complemented by the UDAN Yatri Café offering affordable meals.
Ahead of the Mahakumbh, connectivity to Prayagraj has seen a dramatic boost. The number of direct flights increased to 132, offering approximately 80,000 monthly seats. Prayagraj is now connected to 17 cities directly and to 26 cities through connecting flights, including major hubs like Srinagar and Visakhapatnam.
In January 2025, 81 additional flights were added to accommodate the surge in devotees. Notably, Akasa Air commenced flights on January 28 and 29, connecting Ahmedabad and planning additional flights from Bangalore in February, adding 4,000 seats. SpiceJet introduced flights from Delhi, Chennai, Guwahati, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Jaipur, and Hyderabad, offering 43,000 seats in February.
To ensure affordable travel, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued directives to airlines to provide sufficient capacity during peak festival days, especially during Shahi Snan on January 29, February 3, and other key dates.
The airport has already witnessed record-breaking footfall during the Mahakumbh, with 30,172 passengers and 226 flights in just one week, surpassing 5,000 passengers in a single day. Passenger services have also been upgraded, including meet-and-greet assistance for differently-abled individuals, prepaid taxi counters, and a city bus service in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh Government. Medical facilities have been strengthened with ambulance deployment and air ambulance services, while arriving pilgrims are greeted with floral welcomes.
Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu and Minister of State Murlidhar Mohol conducted regular inspections and review meetings with state authorities, the DGCA, BCAS, and AAI to ensure timely completion of the projects. On December 8, 2024, Shri Naidu issued time-bound directives to accelerate construction and traveler amenities.
This extensive transformation reflects the government’s dedication to delivering world-class infrastructure and seamless connectivity for devotees. With Prayagraj Airport now serving as a modern, well-connected hub, pilgrims visiting Mahakumbh 2025 can look forward to an unmatched travel experience.
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