In anticipation of a substantial surge in air traffic on January 21 and 22, Maharishi Valmiki International Airport Manager Saurabh Singh has said that the airport administration is fully prepared for a significant influx of charter flights.
With 40 charter flights expected on January 21 and an additional 40 scheduled to land on January 22, the airport is bracing for a logistical challenge that demands meticulous planning.
Expressing concerns about the limited parking bay capacity, Singh highlighted the need to manage the departure of planes efficiently, especially after dropping off the VIP guests. “To address this, airports in Lucknow, Varanasi, Gorakhpur and Kushinagar have been put on high alert to accommodate the overflow of aircraft and ensure a seamless operational flow,” he said.
The strategic coordination efforts of the Airport Authority of India extend across 12 airports in five states – Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand – with the aim to efficiently manage the influx of charter flights during the specified period.
However, the challenge lies in Ayodhya’s capability to accommodate the heightened air traffic, with the airport equipped to park only four aircraft. To underscore the significance of the event, one bay has been exclusively reserved for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is slated to attend the historic consecration ceremony of the new idol of Ram Lalla at the grand Ram Temple on January 22.
A carefully selected network of 12 airports within a 1,000-kilometre range, including Khajuraho, Jabalpur, Bhopal, Dehradun and Lucknow, has been designated to handle the overflow of aircraft. Prayagraj, Kanpur, Varanasi, Kushinagar and Gorakhpur are pivotal in accommodating the increased air traffic during this monumental event, while Gaya and Deoghar airports stand ready for parking arrangements.
The logistical challenge escalates as a request to land 48 charter flights on January 22 has been received. To meet this demand, Lucknow plans to allocate parking for eight aircraft, Kanpur for 10, and Prayagraj and Kushinagar for four each. Dehradun, Khajuraho and Kashi are considering parking four aircraft each, while Indore and Gorakhpur may need space for 10 and 17 aircraft, respectively.
“The meticulous planning aims to ensure a smooth flow of air traffic, underscoring the importance of the historic consecration ceremony in Ayodhya,” Singh said.
