Guwahati: The new terminal at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LGBIA) commenced commercial operations this evening, raising the airport’s annual passenger handling capacity to 13 million. The expansion significantly strengthens Guwahati’s position as the strategic aviation gateway to India’s Northeast and a key link to South and Southeast Asia.
The terminal was inaugurated on December 20, 2025, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The operational launch ceremony was attended by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Jeet Adani, Director of Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL), India’s largest private airport operator.
The event marked the issuance of the first ceremonial boarding pass for a departing passenger, while an Akasa Air flight from Mumbai became the first arrival at the new terminal. Traditional lamp lighting and cultural performances by artisan communities, tea garden workers, frontline staff and CISF personnel highlighted the integration of regional heritage with modern infrastructure.
Chief Minister Sarma described the expansion as a “gamechanger” for Assam’s tourism and economic growth, expressing gratitude for investments committed during Advantage Assam 2.0. Jeet Adani called the day a moment of pride for the people of Assam and the Northeast, aligning it with the Prime Minister’s vision of future-ready infrastructure and the state’s ambition to emerge as the economic engine of the region.
Over the past decade, Guwahati has emerged as one of India’s fastest-growing non-metro airports, handling over nine million passengers annually and ranking among the country’s 10–12 busiest airports. The expanded capacity opens opportunities for new routes, increased flight frequencies and international network growth. The airport currently connects to 21 domestic destinations and three international routes—Bangkok, Paro and Singapore—handling over 130 daily aircraft movements.
Advanced system validation included airline coordination, ground handling, emergency protocols and digital integration. Digi Yatra-enabled processing, integrated wayfinding and centralized communication systems are operational, with retail and food services being introduced in phases.
Architecture Rooted in Regional Identity
Designed by internationally acclaimed Indian architect Nuru Karim, the terminal draws inspiration from Assam’s Kopou Phool (foxtail orchid) and incorporates over 140 metric tonnes of bamboo. Architectural references to Assam’s Bhaluka bamboo craftsmanship and Arunachal Pradesh’s Apatani tribal traditions reflect the broader cultural fabric of the Northeast. A dome-shaped roof enhances spatial continuity and natural lighting, while an amphitheatre-style arrival plaza showcases regional art and performance traditions.
The design received the International Architecture Award 2025 for seamlessly integrating regional identity with contemporary infrastructure.
The airport is operated by Guwahati International Airport Limited, a subsidiary of Adani Airport Holdings Limited, which also manages airports in Thiruvananthapuram, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Lucknow, Jaipur, Ahmedabad and Mangaluru.
With expanded capacity and enhanced facilities, Guwahati is poised to further solidify its role as the Northeast’s aviation hub, connecting the region to mainland India and beyond.
