UP registers 14.6% growth in air traffic | Lucknow News

Lucknow : Uttar Pradesh is witnessing rapid growth in air travel and cargo movement, thanks to improved connectivity and infrastructure.Between Apr and Aug 2025, over 60 lakh passengers flew from airports across the state—14.6% increase compared to same period last year. State’s share in India’s total air traffic rose to 3.52%, an increase of 34 basis points over 2024, meaning that today, one in every 30 air passengers in India travels from Uttar Pradesh. Domestic passenger numbers grew by 15.7%, while international travel saw 4.3% rise. In total, air passenger traffic in UP increased from 59.97 lakh in 2016–17 to 142.28 lakh in 2024–25, with a strong annual growth rate of 10.1%.During the Covid-19 pandemic, passenger numbers dipped to 48.35 lakh in FY 2020–21. Still, UP achieved one of the fastest recoveries in the country, doubling its traffic within two years, a testament to robust aviation policies and efficient management. Compared to 2023–24, 2024–25 saw a 25.9% increase in total air passengers, with traffic during April–August alone rising by 14.6%. Several cities have driven this growth momentum. Between 2023–24 and 2024–25, air traffic increased by 34.4% in Varanasi, 76.4% in Prayagraj, 27.6% in Gorakhpur, and 13.3% in Kanpur — indicating how religious tourism and regional connectivity have boosted air travel across the state.The Ayodhya Airport has emerged as one of North India’s fastest-growing terminals. Passenger traffic there grew from over 2 lakh in 2023–24 to more than 11 lakh flyers in 2024–25.Similarly, Prayagraj saw air passenger numbers rise from over 6 lakh to 10.77 lakh, while Varanasi crossed the 40-lakh mark in 2024–25, compared to around 3 million in 2023–24. Gorakhpur also recorded growth from 680,000 to 867,000 passengers, and Lucknow registered a 4.1% increase over the same period.Cargo traffic also reached new highs. From 5,890 metric tonnes in 2016–17, UP’s air cargo grew to 28,360 metric tonnes in 2024–25, marking a 19.1% CAGR. Lucknow Airport handled the bulk of this, with 22,099 metric tonnes, while Prayagraj and Varanasi saw growth of 50% and 27.7%, respectively. Kanpur and Agra posted record growth of 165% and 247% between Apr and Aug.The upcoming Noida International Airport is expected to further boost connectivity and make UP largest aviation hub in North India. New airports in Ayodhya, Kushinagar and Jewar are part of state’s plan to connect every district by air, supporting tourism, trade, and employment.According to civil aviation Director Ishan Pratap Singh, “Air connectivity is driver of development and when every district is connected, quality of life improves for all.” He added, “UP’s aviation sector is clearly on an upward trajectory, with strong growth in both passenger and cargo traffic and major infrastructure projects paving the way for future expansion.”