Aviation Minister inaugurates Ahmedabad-Ayodhya direct flight, ahead of Ram Mandir inauguration

• Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurates direct flights between Ahmedabad and Ayodhya
• The new route, operated by Indigo, aims to enhance economic growth through increased air connectivity
• Flight inauguration coincides with the Ram temple inauguration on January 22, 2024, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Union Minister of Civil Aviation and Steel, Jyotiraditya Scindia, flagged off the inaugural direct flight between Ahmedabad and Ayodhya on Thursday. Operated by Indigo, the new route, featuring three flights per week, aims to enhance air connectivity between the two cities, contributing to economic growth.

The commencement of this flight service aligns with the highly anticipated inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya at 12:20 pm on January 22, 2024, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and various dignitaries are expected to participate. Scindia emphasized that this air link symbolically unites Ahmedabad's economic strength with Ayodhya's spiritual significance, fostering economic growth through increased domestic travel and tourism.

The flight inauguration is aligned with the expansion plans of Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya, formerly known as Ayodhya International Airport. The airport's outer structure draws inspiration from the soon-to-be-inaugurated Ram Mandir, adorned with paintings and artefacts depicting Lord Ram's life. Currently covering 6,500 square meters with a capacity for 600 passengers during peak hours, the airport will undergo expansion to 50,000 square meters and the ability to handle 3,000 passengers in subsequent phases.

The runway, presently 2,200 meters long, will extend to 3,700 meters to accommodate larger international flights directly from Ayodhya. Scindia highlighted the substantial growth of Uttar Pradesh's civil aviation sector over the last decade, expanding from 18 to 41 cities with weekly flight movements increasing from 700 to 1,654. Additionally, plans for five more airports and the Jewar international airport by the end of 2024 demonstrate the state's commitment to further aviation development.