Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath received the first boarding pass for the newly launched tri-weekly flights connecting Ahmedabad and Ayodhya through IndiGo Airlines. Aiming to bolster air connectivity in the region, Adityanath expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for granting Uttar Pradesh its fourth international airport, inaugurated on December 30.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union Minister VK Singh, and other senior officials marked the inauguration of the first tri-weekly flights on Thursday, linking the two cities. The Ayodhya airport will play a crucial role during the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony of the Ram Temple, scheduled for January 22, with approximately 100 chartered planes expected to land.
Adityanath emphasized the significance of the Ayodhya airport, inaugurated in December 2023, and praised PM Modi for providing enhanced connectivity to Uttar Pradesh. The Chief Minister highlighted the boost to tourism and business activities facilitated by improved air services.
The new air service directly connects Ayodhya to Ahmedabad, making it the second destination after Delhi, and Mumbai will become the third connected location starting from January 15. Another flight to Delhi is scheduled to commence on January 16, 2024. Adityanath underscored the positive impact of these air services on tourism and business activities.
Discussing the improvement in air services across the state, Adityanath stated that the number of air passengers in Uttar Pradesh increased from 59.97 lakh in 2016-17 to 96.02 lakh in the financial year 2022-23. Over the last three years, there has been a 29.46% increase in the number of air passengers in the state. He emphasized PM Modi’s vision of making air travel accessible to all citizens and providing better connectivity by road, rail, and air.
Adityanath acknowledged the state government’s contribution in providing land for the Ayodhya International Airport, covering 821 acres, while the Union Civil Aviation Ministry efficiently constructed the world-class airport. Referring to IndiGo Airlines’ presence in Uttar Pradesh, he highlighted flight facilities from eight cities in the state.
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia expressed anticipation for the ‘Pran Pratishta’ of Shri Ram Lalla in Ayodhya on January 22, emphasizing its significance not only in India but also in foreign countries. Scindia commended the timely completion of various development projects, including the Ayodhya Airport, attributing it to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s cooperation. The minister noted the exponential increase in air movements in Uttar Pradesh, which rose from 700 aircraft per week in 2014 to 1654 air movements per week. Additionally, he announced the imminent commencement of air services in Aligarh, Azamgarh, Chitrakoot, and Shravasti.