Yogi Government : Sky’s the Limit: Record Growth in Air Travel
Lucknow | Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh is soaring to new heights in air connectivity. Between April and August 2025, passenger traffic at the state’s airports grew by 14.6%, crossing the 6 million (60 lakh) mark. Compared to 2016–17, air passenger numbers have more than doubled in FY2024–25, underscoring the rapid expansion of the aviation sector in the state. Cities such as Ayodhya, Prayagraj, and Varanasi have emerged as key growth centres, while cargo traffic registered an impressive 19.1% rise, boosting trade and exports. With the upcoming launch of the Jewar International Airport, Uttar Pradesh is set to become northern India’s largest aviation hub — a milestone achievement under the “Connected UP, Prosperous UP” vision.
Passenger Growth Driven by Connectivity and Vision
From April to August 2025, passenger traffic at Uttar Pradesh’s airports surged to 6 million, capturing 3.52% of India’s total air travel — a rise of 34 basis points compared to last year. This means that one out of every 30 air passengers in India now travels through Uttar Pradesh.
In FY2016–17, the state’s airports handled 5.99 million passengers. By FY2024–25, that number had reached 14.2 million, including 12.9 million domestic and 1.3 million international flyers, reflecting a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.1%. Despite the pandemic slump in FY2020–21, when passenger numbers fell to 4.83 million, UP showed one of the fastest recoveries in the country. Between FY2023–24 and FY2024–25 alone, air traffic grew 25.9%, with domestic passengers up 15.7% and international traffic up 4.3%.
Ayodhya, Prayagraj, and Varanasi Lead the Surge
Religious tourism and improved infrastructure have made Ayodhya, Prayagraj, and Varanasi standout performers in air travel growth.
- Ayodhya Airport, dedicated to Sage Valmiki, saw passengers soar from 200,000 in FY2023–24 to over 1.1 million in FY2024–25 — a fivefold jump.
- Prayagraj recorded a 76.4% rise, from 600,000 passengers to 1.07 million.
- Varanasi, a key spiritual and cultural hub, crossed 4 million passengers this year, up from 3 million last year.
- Gorakhpur and Kanpur also showed notable increases of 27.6% and 13.3%, respectively, while Lucknow, the state’s busiest airport, grew by 4.1%.
Cargo Traffic Strengthens Industrial Momentum
Air cargo traffic in Uttar Pradesh rose at a CAGR of 19.1% between FY2016–17 and FY2024–25, increasing from 5,890 metric tonnes to 28,360 metric tonnes — the highest ever recorded. In FY2024–25 alone, Lucknow handled 22,099 metric tonnes of cargo, with significant gains in Prayagraj (50%) and Varanasi (27.7%). Between FY2023–24 and FY2024–25, overall air cargo volumes grew 9.4%.
The April–August 2025 period saw extraordinary growth in Kanpur (165%) and Agra (247%), driven by the integration of industrial clusters into global supply chains. Uttar Pradesh’s share of India’s total air cargo traffic rose to 0.79%, a sign of growing export strength.
Towards an Aviation-Powered Economy
According to Eshan Pratap Singh, Director of Civil Aviation, Uttar Pradesh, “Air connectivity is not just about travel — it’s an engine for tourism, trade, and jobs. As every district gets linked by air, every citizen benefits.”
The Yogi Adityanath government’s efforts to expand aviation infrastructure have led to the development of new airports in Ayodhya, Kushinagar, and Jewar (Noida International Airport), along with ongoing work on multiple new connectivity projects. Once operational, Jewar will position Uttar Pradesh as northern India’s largest aviation hub.
Through a blend of visionary planning and rapid implementation, Uttar Pradesh is not just connecting its skies — it is charting a new economic trajectory where every flight fuels prosperity.
