Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday virtually launched Indigo Airlines’ direct air service between Ayodhya and Ahmedabad at an event organized on Thursday. Devotees/tourists who wish to have darshan of Lord Shri Ram now have the option of taking the direct flight from Ahmedabad to reach Ayodhya.
Expressing happiness over the launch of the new air service, the Chief Minister said, “With this direct flight, Ayodhya has become directly connected to Ahmedabad. Ahmedabad is the second place after Delhi to be connected to Ayodhya through air service. Starting from January 15, there will also be flight services between Ayodhya and Mumbai.”
He said that another flight service between Delhi and Ayodhya will start on January 16. He further highlighted that improved air services contribute significantly to tourism and business activities.
New service will bring together ‘vibrant Gujarat and spiritual Ayodhya’
Discussing the improving air services in the state, the Chief Minister mentioned that the number of air passengers in the state increased from 59.97 lakh in the financial year 2016-17 to 96.02 lakh in the financial year 2022-23, representing a growth rate of 29.46 percent in the past three years. He informed that in 2016-17, Lucknow airport received 39.68 lakh passengers, Varanasi had 19.16 lakh, Gorakhpur 54,000, and Prayagraj received 45,000. In 2022-23, however, UP recorded massive jump in the tourists’ footfall with Lucknow receiving 52.20 lakh, Varanasi 25.21 lakh, Gorakhpur 7.18 lakh, and Prayagraj 5.71 lakh passengers.
CM Yogi emphasized the vision of the Prime Minister, where even an ordinary citizen can travel by air. The state government is committed to realizing this vision. He mentioned that five years ago, Ayodhya had a small airstrip, but today Maharishi Valmiki International Airport is operational. He added that Ayodhya is now a sought after destination for everyone, and the government has improved its connectivity by road, rail, and air, aligning with the Prime Minister’s vision.
Providing details about the Ayodhya International Airport, he stated that the state government allocated 821 acres of land for it and the Ministry of Civil Aviation developed a world-class airport within the given timeframe.
Discussing IndiGo Airlines’ presence in Uttar Pradesh, he mentioned that IndiGo is providing flight services from 8 cities in Uttar Pradesh including Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Kanpur, Agra, Prayagraj, Bareilly, and Ayodhya. The number of flights is continuously increasing.
“Flight operations started from Lucknow airport in 2009 and currently 84 aircrafts fly per day from the airport to 13 national destinations. Similarly, Varanasi airport offers 34 flights per day to 6 connected national destinations, Gorakhpur has 6 flights to 4 connected national destinations, Prayagraj has 11 flights to 10 connected national destinations, Agra has 6 flights to 6 connected national destinations, Kanpur has 3 flights to 3 connected national destinations, and Bareilly has 3 flights to 3 connected national destinations every day”, Yogi added.
Ayodhya had small airstrip 5 years ago, now it has Maharishi Valmiki Int’l Airport
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia stated that the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22 is not just eagerly awaited by 140 crore Indians but also by people from abroad. Reflecting on his experience on the inauguration day of Maharshi Valmiki International Airport on December 30, he shared that it felt as if everyone was joyously welcoming Lord Shri Ram. He praised CM Yogi for creating a new Ayodhya and expressed happiness over the timely completion of various development projects, including the Ayodhya airport.
Scindia mentioned that wherever the name of Lord Ram is invoked, all tasks are fulfilled. He commended Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s efforts, stating that the airport was built in just 20 months with his support—a record-setting achievement for the construction of an airport in such a short period. Extending congratulations on the commencement of IndiGo’s flight service between Ahmedabad and Ayodhya, he said that this flight serves as a confluence of vibrant Gujarat and spiritual Ayodhya.
Highlighting the rapid growth in Uttar Pradesh’s aviation sector, he mentioned that while there were 700 aircraft movements per week in the state in 2014, the number has now increased to 1654 aircraft movements per week—recording a growth of 137 times. He announced that soon, air services will also commence in Aligarh, Azamgarh, Chitrakoot, and Shravasti as well.
In the program, RK Singh, the Special Director of IndiGo Airlines, shared information about the airline’s strong presence in the country’s civil aviation sector. He mentioned that currently, IndiGo operates 165 flights per day from seven airports in Uttar Pradesh. He assured that there will be further expansion in the coming days. Providing details about the new flight between Ayodhya and Ahmedabad, he mentioned that flights will be available on three days a week from both destinations.
On this occasion, boarding passes were provided to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and the first passenger of flight number 6E112 from Ayodhya. MPs Lallu Singh and Kirit Premjibhai Solanki and representatives of Indigo were also present in this program held through virtual medium.
