Prayagraj: Prayagraj Airport has undergone a remarkable transformation and is positioning itself as a modern gateway for the Maha Kumbh Mela as major expansions and infrastructure upgrades were undertaken to accommodate the mass influx of devotee households from January 13 to February 26 2025.
Boost in Connectivity and Flight Operations Boosts Aircraft Maintenance and Safety
The airport now serves as a vital hub for spiritual travellers. In January 2025 alone 81 flights were introduced bringing a total number of airlines to 132 flights with approximately 80,000 monthly seats. Prayagraj is now directly connected to 17 cities across India, up from eight in December 2024 with additional connections to 26 cities including Srinagar and Visakhapatnam.
To keep airfares affordable during peak festival days like the Shahi Snan on January 29 and February 3 airlines were directed to ensure sufficient capacity, officials said.
Notable additions include:
Aspiring Air launched flights from Ahmedabad on January 28 and will expand to Bengaluru in February adding 4,000 seats.
SpiceJet offers connections to Delhi, Chennai, Guwahati, Mumbai, Jaipur and Hyderabad with 43,000 seats from February 1 to March 31.
The introduction of night flights, a first in the airport's 106-year history ensured 24/7 connectivity for the growing number of tourists arriving at the airport.
Infrastructure Upgrades
The airport’s modernisation saw the terminal area being expanded from 6,700 sq. m. to 25,500 sq. m., with peak-hour passenger handling capacity increased to 1,620.
Key upgrades include:
Increased parking bays (4 to 15) and conveyor belts (2 to 5).
Additional gates (4 to 11) and aerobridges (2 to 6).
Enhanced security with additional door-framed metal detectors and X-ray machines (4 to 10).
Check-in counters increased from 8 to 42, ensuring smoother passenger processing.
Enhanced Passenger Comfort
To provide a seamless travel experience, new amenities include lounges, childcare rooms, and affordable dining options like the UDAN Yatri Café. The airport also offers meet-and-greet assistance for differently-abled passengers, prepaid taxi counters, and a city bus service in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh Government.
Pilgrims are welcomed with floral greetings, creating a warm and spiritual start to their journey. Medical facilities, including ambulances and air ambulance services, were also bolstered to ensure safety.
A Benchmark for World-Class Infrastructure
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu emphasised the government’s commitment to delivering top-notch infrastructure for devotees. "The expansion of Prayagraj Airport showcases our dedication to ensuring world-class connectivity and a memorable travel experience for visitors during Maha Kumbh 2025," he said.
