Air India Express made a significant announcement on Friday, unveiling its plans to amplify operations originating from the forthcoming Ayodhya airport, set to be inaugurated on December 30. This expansion entails the addition of flight routes connecting Ayodhya to Delhi, Bengaluru, and Kolkata, alongside flights from these cities to the sacred destination. The commencement of these operations is scheduled for January 17.
Notably, Air India Express had previously declared flights linking Delhi, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad to Ayodhya. In tandem with this, IndiGo, another prominent airline, also revealed its intentions to operate flights along these routes.
Both airlines are poised to launch their inaugural flights to the new Ayodhya airport on December 30. The ceremonial inauguration will be conducted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking a pivotal moment in the countdown to the grand consecration ceremony of the Ram Mandir.
Insiders revealed to India Today on Thursday that the airport has undergone a renaming process, now recognized as the 'Maharishi Valmiki International Airport Ayodhyadham', a change from its previous name, the 'Maryada Purshottam Shri Ram Ayodhya International Airport'.
The design and ethos behind the new airport are deeply rooted in the narrative of the Ram Mandir, symbolizing the triumphant return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after the victorious battle against the demon king, Ravana.
The estimated cost for the initial phase of constructing this airport stands at approximately Rs 1,450 crore, signalling a substantial investment in this infrastructure.
The newly constructed terminal building spans 6,500 square meters, meticulously designed to accommodate a peak-hour passenger count of 600 individuals, with an annual handling capacity of up to 10 lakh passengers. This strategic design aims to facilitate seamless travel experiences while accommodating the anticipated influx of travellers to this significant pilgrimage destination.
