This is the only Indian state with five international airports!

From Lucknow to Noida, Uttar Pradesh is flying high as India’s only state with five international airports. (Representative Image: Canva)

Uttar Pradesh has earned a remarkable distinction — it’s now the only Indian state with five international airports. From spiritual tourism to global trade, the state’s expanding air network is redefining connectivity across North India. With the addition of the Noida International Airport (NIA) in Jewar, UP’s aviation landscape has entered a new era of global access and opportunity.

Located just 18 km from Lucknow city centre, this airport is the second busiest in North and Central India after Delhi’s IGI Airport. Handling over 5 million passengers annually, it’s equipped with two parallel runways, 42 aircraft stands, and a massive 47,000 sq. m. terminal. An ongoing expansion will soon boost its capacity to serve 13 million travellers a year.

Situated in Babatpur, 25 km from Varanasi Junction, this airport connects the world to one of India’s holiest cities. Handling over 2.5 million passengers annually, it’s a key hub for religious tourism. Plans are underway to build a second terminal to cater to the rising influx of international visitors seeking a glimpse of the ancient city.

Just 7 km from Kushinagar town, this airport is the linchpin of India’s Buddhist tourism circuit, linking destinations across Sri Lanka, Thailand, Japan, and other Buddhist-majority nations. With a capacity for 3 million passengers and advanced navigation systems, it strengthens India’s spiritual and cultural diplomacy.

Built to serve the newly revived spiritual capital of Ayodhya, this airport is designed to handle 6 million passengers annually (Phase 1). Equipped for wide-body aircraft, the facility will soon expand to serve 10 million travellers per year, connecting Ayodhya with major global destinations and boosting religious tourism.

Strategically located 72 km from Delhi’s IGI Airport, NIA is set to transform the National Capital Region’s air traffic. With a 100,000 sq. m. terminal, two runways, and an MRO hub spanning 40 acres, it will handle 12 million passengers in Phase 1. The nearby Dadri logistics hub will further strengthen India’s cargo and trade network.

With five world-class international airports — Lucknow, Varanasi, Kushinagar, Ayodhya, and Noida — Uttar Pradesh has emerged as India’s leader in air connectivity. This aviation revolution is not just about travel; it’s about economic growth, tourism, and cultural exchange. As these airports take flight, so does UP’s vision to become a global gateway for the future.