Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday virtually launched IndiGo airlines’ direct air service between Ayodhya and Ahmedabad.
Expressing happiness over the launch of the new air service, the chief minister said, “With this direct flight, Ayodhya has become directly connected to Ahmedabad. Ahmedabad is the second place after Delhi to be connected to Ayodhya through air service. Starting from January 15, there will also be air service between Ayodhya and Mumbai.”
The chief minister said that another flight between Delhi and Ayodhya would start on January 16. He said that improved air services contributed significantly to tourism and business activities.
Discussing the improving air services in the state, the chief minister mentioned that the number of air passengers in the state increased from 59.97 lakh in the financial year 2016-17 to 96.02 lakh in the financial year 2022-23, representing a growth rate of 29.46 per cent in the past three years.
He said that in 2016-17, Lucknow airport received 39.68 lakh passengers, Varanasi had 19.16 lakh passengers, Gorakhpur 54,000 and Prayagraj 45,000. In 2022-23, however, UP recorded a massive jump in the tourist footfall with Lucknow receiving 52.20 lakh passengers, Varanasi 25.21 lakh, Gorakhpur 7.18 lakh and Prayagraj 5.71 lakh.
Chief Minister Yogi emphasised the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, of even ordinary citizens travelling by air. He said the state government was committed to realising this vision.
He mentioned that five years ago, Ayodhya had a small airstrip, but today Maharishi Valmiki International Airport was operational. He added that Ayodhya was now a sought after destination for everyone, and the government had improved its connectivity by road, rail and air, aligning with the prime minister’s vision.
Providing details of the Ayodhya international airport, the chief minister said that the state government allocated 821 acres of land for it and the Ministry of Civil Aviation developed a world-class airport within the given timeframe.
Discussing IndiGo airlines’ presence in Uttar Pradesh, he said that IndiGo was providing air services from eight cities in Uttar Pradesh including Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Kanpur Nagar, Agra, Prayagraj, Bareilly and Ayodhya and the number of flights was continuously increasing.
“Flight operations started from Lucknow airport in 2009 and currently 84 aircraft fly per day from the airport to 13 national destinations. Similarly, Varanasi airport offers 34 flights per day to six connected national destinations, Gorakhpur has six flights to four connected national destinations, Prayagraj has 11 flights to 10 connected national destinations, Agra has six flights to six connected national destinations, Kanpur has three flights to three connected national destinations, and Bareilly has three flights to three connected national destinations every day,” Yogi added.
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22 was not just eagerly awaited by 140 crore Indians but also by people from abroad.
Reflecting on his experience on the inauguration of Maharshi Valmiki International Airport on December 30, Scindia said that it felt as if everyone was joyously welcoming Lord Shri Ram.
He praised Chief Minister Yogi for creating a new Ayodhya and expressed happiness over the timely completion of various development projects, including the Ayodhya airport.
Scindia mentioned that wherever the name of Lord Ram is invoked, all tasks are fulfilled. He commended Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s efforts, stating that the airport was built in just 20 months with his support – a record-setting achievement for the construction of an airport in such a short period.
Extending congratulations on the commencement of IndiGo flight service between Ahmedabad and Ayodhya, Scindia said that this flight served as a confluence of vibrant Gujarat and spiritual Ayodhya.
Highlighting the rapid growth in Uttar Pradesh’s aviation sector, he said that while there were 700 aircraft movements per week in the state in 2014, the number had now increased to 1,654 aircraft movements per week, recording a growth of 137 times.
He announced that soon air services will also commence in Aligarh, Azamgarh, Chitrakoot and Shravasti as well.
In the programme, IndiGo Special Director RK Singh shared information about the airline’s strong presence in the civil aviation sector of the country. He mentioned that currently, IndiGo operates 165 flights per day from seven airports in Uttar Pradesh. He assured that there will be further expansion in the coming days.
Providing details about the new flight between Ayodhya and Ahmedabad, he stated that flights will be available on three days a week from both destinations.
On this occasion, boarding passes were provided to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and the first passenger of flight number 6E112 from Ayodhya. MPs Lallu Singh and Kirit Premjibhai Solanki and representatives of IndiGo were also present in this programme held through virtual medium.
