Prayagraj Airport

{{Short description|Airport serving Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India}} {{Use Indian English|date=January 2026}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2026}} {{Infobox airport | name = Prayagraj Airport | image = Prayagraj Airport.jpg | IATA = IXD | ICAO = VEAB | pushpin_map = India Uttar Pradesh#India | pushpin_mapsize = 250 | pushpin_mark = Airplane_silhouette.svg | pushpin_label = '''IXD''' | pushpin_map_caption = Location of airport in Uttar Pradesh | website = [https://www.aai.aero/en/node/75695 Prayagraj Airport] | type = Public/Military | owner = Indian Air Force | operator = Airports Authority of India | city-served = Prayagraj | location = Bamrauli, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India | opened = {{start date and age|1931}}<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/kids/one-hundred-years-of-flying-high/article2584818.ece |title=One hundred years of flying high |newspaper=The Hindu |first1=Murali N. |last1=Krishnaswamy |date=31 October 2011|access-date=26 March 2018}}</ref><ref name="TOI_Dec2016">{{cite news |title=No headway: With no ILS in place, flight delays continue |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/allahabad/no-headway-with-no-ils-in-place-flight-delays-continue/articleshow/55902740.cms |access-date=6 August 2022 |newspaper=The Times of India |date=10 December 2016}}</ref><ref name="Publications Division 2016 163"/> | elevation-f = 322 | elevation-m = 98 | coordinates = {{coord|25|26|24|N|81|44|02|E|display=inline,title}} | metric-elev = | metric-rwy = | r1-number = 12/30 | r1-length-f = 8,400 | r1-length-m = 2,560 | r1-surface = Asphalt | stat-year = April 2024 - March 2025 | stat1-header = Passengers | stat1-data = 1,077,393 ({{increase}} 76.4%) | stat2-header = Aircraft movements | stat2-data = 9,665 ({{increase}} 40%) | stat3-header = Cargo tonnage | stat3-data = 51 ({{increase}} 53.9%) | footnotes = Source: AAI<ref name="AAI3">{{cite web|title=Annexure III – Passenger Data|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k25Annex3.pdf|website=aai.aero|access-date=1 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Annexure II – Aircraft Movement Data|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k25Annex2.pdf|website=aai.aero|access-date=1 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Annexure IV – Freight Movement Data|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k25Annex4.pdf|website=aai.aero|access-date=1 May 2025}}</ref> }}

'''Prayagraj Airport''' {{Airport codes|IXD|VEAB}}, also known as '''Allahabad Airport''', is a major domestic airport and an Indian Air Force base serving the city of Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India. Located in the Bamrauli suburb of the city, it is one of the oldest airports in India. This airport is currently under joint operation of the Indian Air Force and the Airports Authority of India.

Foreseeing the Kumbh 2019, the airport was upgraded with the addition of a new civil terminal extension in 2018, which was constructed in a record 11 months by Tata Projects.<ref>{{cite news |title=TATA Projects Builds Prayagraj Airport Terminal in 11 Months |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/tata-projects-builds-prayagraj-airport-terminal-in-11-months-118121800779_1.html |newspaper=Business Standard |date=18 December 2018}}</ref> A new, larger terminal was built just next to this terminal that was completed in January 2025 to cater to the massive flow of traffic during Kumbh 2025. This latest addition and the phenomenal festival made the airport structurally a single terminal after refurbishing, and made it among the nation's busiest, with passenger traffic crossing 1 million for the first time in financial year 2024-25.<ref>{{cite news|title=MAHAKUMBH-2025 PREPARATIONS: Mega expansion of Prayagraj airport on cards |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/others/mahakumbh2025-preparations-mega-expansion-of-prayagraj-airport-on-cards-101675270401480.html |work=Hindustan Times |date=1 February 2023 |access-date=27 January 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Mahakumbh: Prayagraj Airport climbs into India's top 20 – check out the top 10!|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/travel/news/mahakumbh-prayagraj-airport-climbs-into-indias-top-20-check-out-the-top-10/articleshow/118206383.cms|work=The Times of India|date=13 February 2025|access-date=1 May 2025|language=en}}</ref><ref name="AAI3"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Flights from Allahabad (IXD) |url=https://www.flightconnections.com/flights-from-allahabad-ixd |website=www.flightconnections.com |date=16 January 2025 |access-date=27 January 2025}}</ref>

== Air Force Station Bamrauli == The Air Force station is located in the Bamrauli area of Prayagraj and is the headquarters of Central Air Command. It is one of the bases of Indian Armed Forces which operates under Central Air Command of Indian Air Force.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Prayagraj Plane Crash: Trainee aircraft crashes, crew safe |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/trainee-army-aircraft-crashes-into-water-body-in-prayagraj-rescue-underway/articleshow/126950577.cms |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389 |date=21 January 2026 |access-date=21 January 2026}}</ref>

==History== On 18 February 1911, domestic commercial aviation began in India when Henri Piquet flew a Humber biplane carrying mail from a polo field at Allahabad (now Prayagraj) to Naini, approximately six miles away.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://postalmuseumblog.si.edu/2011/01/india-and-the-worlds-first-official-air-mail-by-airplane.html|title=India and the World's First Official Air Mail by Airplane|publisher=Smithsonian National Postal Museum| access-date=26 March 2018}}</ref> The construction of an airport at Allahabad with a dedicated airfield was started in 1924.<ref name="Publications Division 2016 163"/>

In 1931, the aerodrome at Allahabad was set up and the foundation for air traffic control services was laid with the appointment of an Indian Aerodrome Officer, specially trained at the airport in the UK.<ref name="Publications Division 2016 163">{{cite book|first1=Y.P. |last1=Bawa |chapter=Civil Aviation: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow |title=Indian Forty Years of Independence |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iVc-DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT163 |year=2016|publisher=Publications Division Ministry of Information & Broadcasting|isbn=978-81-230-2634-3|page=163}}</ref> It was among the first four international airports of the country. It catered to international flights with direct services to London until 1932.<ref name="TOI_Dec2016"/>

In July 1933, Imperial Airways commenced the operation of its flight on the Karachi-Jodhpur-Delhi-Kanpur-Allahabad-Kolkata route, which ran until June 1940.<ref>{{cite book|author=Robin Higham|title=Speedbird: The Complete History of BOAC|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=abL3AgAAQBAJ&pg=PA44|year=2013|publisher=I.B.Tauris|isbn=978-0-85773-334-4|page=44}}</ref> The airfield at Bamrauli was also used as one of the five compulsory stops of the MacRobertson Trophy Air Race which took place in October 1934.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aviacrash.nl/paginas/panderjager.htm|title=De Panderjager uitgebrand in Allahabad|publisher=AviaCrash.nl| access-date=26 March 2018}}</ref>

From 1941 to the early 2000s, the airport did not cater to any regular commercial flight services. In the early months of 2003, Air Sahara became the first carrier to re-introduce services at the airport with connectivity to cities like Delhi and Kolkata.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2003/02/22/stories/2003022202340500.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030630061121/http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2003/02/22/stories/2003022202340500.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 June 2003 |title=Air Sahara inducts maiden Canadian jet – First flight on 28 February |newspaper=Business Line |date=22 February 2003 |access-date=26 June 2019}}</ref> However, services soon became defunct following an economic crisis. In 2005, Alliance Air (a regional connectivity subsidiary under Air India) started its Allahabad-Delhi flight service on the ATR-72 fleet, which continues to be operational to this day, with minor non-operational periods in between.

In 2013, SpiceJet introduced its operation in the Delhi-Allahabad sector, along with Alliance Air commencing its Allahabad-Mumbai flight, both of which were closed down due to non-availability of ILS and night landing facilities at the airport after running for a few months.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ganguly |first1=Nivedita |title=SpiceJet begins Delhi-Allahabad daily services |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/spicejet-begins-delhi-allahabad-daily-services/article64114702.ece |access-date=9 July 2022 |newspaper=Business Line |date=1 February 2013 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/alliance-air-to-launch-3-new-flights-from-mumbai/article23103586.ece |title=Alliance Air to launch 3 new flights from Mumbai |date=27 August 2013 |newspaper=Business Line |agency=PTI |access-date=20 December 2018}}</ref>

Seeking limited operational and structural facilities, construction of a new civilian terminal and installation of an ILS system on the existing runway began in January 2018.<ref name="auto1">{{cite news |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/infrastructure/airlines-aviation/allahabad-to-get-indias-fastest-built-airport-terminal-building-here-is-what-aai-is-planning/1379332/| title=Allahabad to get India's fastest-built airport terminal building! Here is what AAI is planning |newspaper=The Financial Express (India) |date=12 November 2018 |access-date=14 November 2018}}</ref> The newly constructed terminal was opened to the public in January 2019 and has since served regular flight operations at Prayagraj.<ref name="auto">{{cite news |last1=Sinha |first1=Saurabh |date=1 September 2017 |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/60319764.cms |title=Allahabad airport terminal: Allahabad airport may get new terminal before January 2019 Ardh Kumbh |newspaper=The Economic Times |access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref>

Prayagraj Airport has been included in India's UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) regional connectivity scheme to enhance low-cost air travel. Several unserved and underserved routes from Prayagraj, including to regional cities in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Jharkhand, are proposed or under consideration.{{fact|date=May 2025}} Planned International Flights: While currently operating only domestic services, there have been ongoing discussions to develop the airport’s capabilities for international operations, especially to Gulf countries and Southeast Asia, targeting the large diaspora from Eastern Uttar Pradesh.{{fact|date=May 2025}}

== Structure ==

thumb|Prayagraj Airport Infrastructure

===Runway=== The airport is served by a single runway 12/30, which is {{Convert|2560|meters||abbr=}} long and {{Convert|45|meters||abbr=}} wide.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.environmentclearance.nic.in/writereaddata/Online/EDS/25_Jul_2017_100614940RJ8WMRMKReplyEACqueriesAllahabadAirport.pdf|title=UP: Environmental Impact Assessment Study Allahabad Airport |publisher=Airports Authority of India/Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change |date=25 July 2018 |access-date=26 June 2019}}</ref>

===Landing amenities=== The airport is ILS CAT-I compliant for landing during the night, bad weather and foggy conditions.<ref>{{cite web|title=Allahabad Airport|url=https://www.aai.aero/en/node/75695|access-date=26 June 2019|publisher=Airports Authority of India}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=June 2021}} The instrument landing system was installed during the 2018–2019 expansion phase, along with construction of the new terminal. Other than enhancing safety for landing flights in visibility as low as 550 meters, the installation of ILS finally allowed the airport to operate flights at night.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/up-bamrauli-airport-to-get-night-landing-facility-before-kumbh/story-dIBrgk6AQovvY1XnmYyzbO.html |title=UP: Bamrauli airport to get night landing facility before Kumbh |newspaper=Hindustan Times |first1=Kenneth |last1=John |date=24 August 2018 |access-date=26 June 2019}}</ref>

==New terminal== Construction of the new terminal began in January 2018 and was completed in December 2018. It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The terminal was constructed for {{INRconvert|164|c|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Inauguration"/><ref name="auto1"/> A total of {{convert|83|acre|abbr=on}} was allocated for the construction of this terminal.<ref name="auto"/>

The terminal is 6700 square meters, and has a peak per hour capacity of 300 passengers and four aircraft parking bays for Airbus A320 and Boeing 737.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aai.aero/en/node/68902 |title=AAI approved list of Agencies for "Development of New Civil Enclave at Allahabad Airport" – Design & Build (EPC) | AIRPORTS AUTHORITY OF INDIA |publisher=Aai.aero |date=20 September 2017 |access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref><ref name="Inauguration">{{cite news |title=PM inaugurates Prayagraj airport in Allahabad |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/pm-narendra-modi-inaugurates-prayagraj-airport-in-allahabad/article25765368.ece |access-date=19 March 2020 |newspaper=Business Line |date=17 December 2018 |language=en}}</ref>

The building has an electric operated trolley gate on the link taxi track to segregate the operational area of Airports Authority of India and Indian Air Force. There has been use of fly ash bricks; double insulated door and the building is equipped with water harvesting and has a sewage treatment plant of its own.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sinha |first1=Saurabh |title=Allahabad airport gets new passenger terminal & more aircraft bays ahead of Kumbh |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/allahabad-airport-gets-new-passenger-terminal-more-aircraft-bays-ahead-of-kumbh/articleshow/67103979.cms |access-date=16 February 2021 |newspaper=The Times of India |date=15 December 2018 |language=en}}</ref>

===Phase 2 extension===

thumb|The extended Prayagraj Airport apron in 2025 (runway view)

In February 2021, it was reported that there were plans for a complete makeover of the civil enclave of Prayagraj in Bamrauli in terms of size and facilities. The AAI proposed to double the airport's size, with the present building of the airport being expanded on both sides, keeping the terminal the same.

The project involves reconfiguring the existing terminal building and partially commissioning a new terminal, increasing the combined passenger handling capacity from '''350 to approximately 2,050 passengers per hour'''. The total terminal area will expand from 6,500 sq. mtrs. to 18,500 sq. mtrs., enhancing passenger comfort and operational efficiency. Infrastructure upgrades also include an increase in the apron area, allowing aircraft parking bays to '''grow from four to 15''', accommodating up to '''7 Airbus A320s and eight smaller aircraft.''' A newly constructed taxiway will further streamline ground operations, and night landing facilities will ensure round-the-clock functionality. Improvements extend beyond flight operations. The city-side infrastructure now includes an expanded car parking capacity of 600 vehicles, up from 200.<ref>{{cite news |title=New flights, bigger space: Civil enclave set to expand |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/prayagraj/new-flights-bigger-space-civil-enclave-set-to-expand/articleshow/80724459.cms |access-date=29 March 2021 |newspaper=The Times of India |date=7 February 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

==Airlines and destinations== {{more citations needed|section|date=March 2025}}  {{Airport-dest-list  |Akasa Air| Mumbai  |Alliance Air |Bilaspur,<ref>{{cite news|title=Jabalpur To Prayagraj Flights To Commence On January 10; Jabalpur To Pune Direct Flight To Start Soon|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/jabalpur-to-prayagraj-flights-to-commence-on-january-10-jabalpur-to-pune-direct-flight-to-start-soon|work=Free Press Journal|date=29 November 2024|access-date=29 November 2024|language=en}}</ref> Delhi  |IndiGo |Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Raipur  ||||||}}

== Statistics == During the Mahakumbh 2025, records were set including handling 100 flights in single day.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kumar |first1=K Sandeep |date=17 February 2025 |title=Mahakumbh-2025: In a first, Prayagraj airport handles over 100 flights in a day |url=https://www.msn.com/en-in/travel/news/mahakumbh-2025-in-a-first-prayagraj-airport-handles-over-100-flights-in-a-day/ar-AA1zdT5g?ocid=BingNewsSerp |work=MSN |access-date=18 February 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Mani |first1=Rajiv |date=15 February 2025 |title=Prayagraj airport sets new record for highest single-day footfall |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/allahabad/prayagraj-airport-sets-new-record-for-highest-single-day-footfall/articleshow/118284117.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=18 February 2025}}</ref> The total passenger footfall between 17 and 26 February 2025 was 2.38 lakh while the first 36 days saw the movement of 3.20 lakh passengers. The total count during 46 days of Maha Kumbh festivity was 5,59,178 flyers.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chauhan |first1=Arvind |title=Maha Kumbh 2025: Prayagraj airport footfall, flight movements soared to record high |url=https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/world/maha-kumbh-2025-prayagraj-airport-footfall-flight-movements-soared-to-record-high/ar-AA1zWT7U?ocid=BingNewsVerp |work=MSN |access-date=19 March 2025}}</ref> Overall, the airport became among the top 20 busiest airports in India in financial year 2024-25, with passenger traffic exceeding 1 million for the first time.<ref name="AAI3"/> . In 2025, Prayagraj Airport handled approximately one million passengers. During the year, the airport operated around 30 flights per week, providing direct connectivity to six destinations across India, and recorded a modest operating profit.<ref>{{cite web | title=Focus on smaller airports before building mega ones | date=25 December 2025 | url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/focus-on-smaller-airports-before-building-mega-ones-101766676410816.html }}</ref>.

==Customer Satisfaction== Prayagraj Airport Jumped 25 places in this year customer satisfaction surveys from 37th to 12th<ref>{{cite web | title=Prayagraj airport No. 12 in customer satisfaction | work=The Times of India | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/allahabad/prayagraj-airport-no-12-in-customer-satisfaction/articleshow/126219752.cms }}</ref>.

==Magh Mela 2026 preparations==

In preparation for Magh Mela 2026, Prayagraj Airport announced plans to expand air services to accommodate an expected increase in pilgrim and tourist traffic. A new direct flight between Prayagraj and Hindon Airport (Ghaziabad) is scheduled to commence in January 2026, subject to operational clearances<ref>{{cite web | title=MAGH MELA 2026: Air services to increase, new Prayagraj–Hindon flight to begin in January | date=24 December 2025 | url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/others/magh-mela-2026-air-services-to-increase-new-prayagraj-hindon-flight-to-begin-in-january-101766515876981.html }}</ref>.

== References == {{reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} *{{Official website}} *{{citation |url=http://www.aai.aero/allAirports/allahabad.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061013161040/http://www.aai.aero/allAirports/allahabad.jsp |archive-date=13 October 2006 |title=Allahabad Airport |work=Airports Authority of India}}

Category:Airports in Uttar Pradesh Category:Transport in Prayagraj Category:Indian Air Force bases Category:Buildings and structures in Prayagraj Category:World War II sites in India Category:Airports established in 1919 Category:1919 establishments in India Category:20th-century architecture in India Category:Airports Authority of India