In anticipation of a substantial surge in air traffic on January 21 and 22, Saurabh Singh, the manager at Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, 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 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 of efficiently managing the influx of charter flights during the specified period.
However, the challenge lies in Ayodhya’s capability to accommodate the heightened air traffic, as the airport is equipped to park only four aircraft. To underscore the significance of the event, one bay has been exclusively reserved for the Prime Minister.
Modi is slated to attend the historic consecration ceremony of the new idol of Ram Lalla at the grand Shri Ram Temple on January 22.
A carefully selected network of 12 airports within a 1000-kilometer range, including Khajuraho, Jabalpur, Bhopal, Dehradun, and Lucknow, has been designated to handle the overflow of aircraft. Prayagraj, Kanpur, Varanasi, Kushinagar, and Gorakhpur play pivotal roles in accommodating the increased air traffic during this monumental event, while Gaya and Devghar 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 8 aircraft, Kanpur for 10, and Prayagraj-Kushinagar for 4 each. Dehradun-Khajuraho and Kashi are considering parking 4 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.