Maha Kumbh 2025: With 81 new flights and 132 routes, Prayagraj airport gets its biggest upgrade in 106 years

Prayagraj airport gets its biggest upgrade in 106 years

Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu, Prayagraj Airport has undergone a historic transformation, marking its most significant upgrade since its inception 106 years ago. With 81 new flights and 132 routes added to its schedule, the airport is now a modern gateway connecting the city of devotion, culture, and the grand Maha Kumbh Mahotsav to the rest of India.

The massive expansion comes just in time for the Maha Kumbh Mahotsav, set to draw millions of devotees between January 13 and February 26, 2025. The upgrades were carefully planned and executed to accommodate the influx of travelers, especially for the sacred Shahi Snan days on January 29, February 3, February 4, February 12, and February 26.

Civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu and minister of state Murlidhar Mohol have been at the forefront of ensuring the smooth execution of these upgrades, conducting inspections and issuing timely directives to meet deadlines.

Seamless Connectivity

Prayagraj’s connectivity has expanded dramatically, with direct flights to 17 cities (up from just 8 in December 2024) and connecting flights to 26 cities, including Srinagar and Visakhapatnam. Airlines like SpiceJet and Akasa Air have stepped up, offering thousands of additional seats. Akasa Air will operate 21 flights from Ahmedabad and Bangalore, adding 4,000 seats. SpiceJet is introducing flights connecting Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Guwahati, and more, contributing a staggering 43,000 seats in February alone. This strategic expansion not only ensures sufficient capacity for travelers but also helps keep airfares in check during peak festival days.

The airport has already witnessed unprecedented numbers. Over 30,000 passengers and 226 flights in a single week. For the first time, night flights ensure 24/7 connectivity, a monumental first in over a century.

The airport’s infrastructure has been reimagined to enhance both capacity and passenger comfort:

• Terminal Area expanded from 6,700 sq. m. to 25,500 sq. m.
• Passenger Handling capacity doubled, with new terminals accommodating 1,620 peak-hour passengers.
• Parking for vehicles increased from 200 to 600, and aircraft bays rose from 4 to 15.
• Check-in Counters jumped from 8 to 42, while security infrastructure saw significant upgrades, including additional aerobridges and metal detectors.

• Expanded lounges and childcare rooms.
• Affordable dining options at the UDAN Yatri Cafe.
• Improved accessibility with meet-and-greet services for differently-abled individuals.
• City Bus Services and prepaid taxis for seamless onward journeys.
• Upgraded medical facilities, including ambulances and air ambulance services.