Gorakhpur Airport Set for Major Expansion, New Terminal to Handle 200 Flights a Day

Gorakhpur: In a significant push to improve air connectivity in eastern Uttar Pradesh, the Gorakhpur Airport is poised for a major infrastructure upgrade with the construction of a new terminal building. Officials said on Wednesday that the new facility will drastically scale up the airport’s operational capacity, increasing its current flight handling from 26 to nearly 200 daily movements once the expansion is complete.

The initiative took a formal step forward on Tuesday with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Indian Air Force, Airports Authority of India (AAI), and the Gorakhpur district administration. As per the agreement, the Indian Air Force will transfer 42 acres of land—currently under the Military Engineering Services—to the AAI for the proposed terminal.

“The land is located right next to the existing terminal, which will ease the construction process. The current structures on the site will be relocated to make way for the new development,” Airport Director PK Parashar said.

Terminal to Expand Passenger Footfall Capacity Nearly Tenfold

The new terminal will be designed to handle up to 2,500 passengers per hour, a significant jump from the present capacity of 270. According to officials, this enhancement is being planned with future passenger traffic growth in mind, as air travel demand in the region has steadily increased over the last few years.



“With a growing number of passengers travelling from Gorakhpur to metros like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata, the existing terminal often sees crowding during peak hours. The new infrastructure will help streamline services and offer better amenities,” said an AAI official associated with the project.

10 Aircraft Bays and Improved Turnaround Time

The expanded terminal will include designated parking bays for 10 aircraft, allowing the airport to manage simultaneous arrivals and departures more efficiently. Currently, the airport operates on limited apron space, handling just a few aircraft at a time. The increase in aircraft parking capacity is expected to improve turnaround time and reduce delays.

“This will be a game-changer for regional connectivity. With more aircraft accommodated at once, the schedule flexibility for airlines will also improve,” Parashar added.

Road Infrastructure to be Upgraded

The expansion plan also includes enhancements to the surrounding road infrastructure. A new roundabout from Nandanagar, an underpass, and a four-lane access road are in the pipeline to ensure smoother vehicular movement to and from the airport. Officials said these upgrades will help reduce traffic congestion and improve last-mile connectivity for passengers.

Part of the Government’s Regional Connectivity Push

The Gorakhpur Airport’s expansion is in line with the central government’s regional connectivity scheme, UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik), which aims to make air travel affordable and widespread. Under the scheme, smaller cities are being linked with major urban centres through air routes that are both commercially viable and supported through government subsidies.

According to data from the Airports Authority of India, Gorakhpur Airport handled over 7.3 lakh passengers in 2023–24, up from about 6.2 lakh in 2022–23. The figures reflect growing demand for air travel in the Purvanchal region.

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Once the new terminal is ready, officials expect the airport to emerge as a regional aviation hub not just for Gorakhpur, but also for neighbouring districts like Deoria, Maharajganj, Kushinagar, and Siddharthnagar. The airport already serves as an important base for people travelling to the Buddhist circuit and Nepal border areas.

The construction timeline and project cost are expected to be finalised in the coming months, with groundwork likely to begin soon after land transfer formalities are completed.