Kushinagar – A New International Airport Opened in India

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Kushinagar is a little-known small city in the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh (UP) state in India (also known as ‘Purvanchal’). Not known to many; however, you speak to a Buddhist, who will tell you much about this place. Kushinagar is the place where Lord Buddha attained ‘mahaparinirvana’ after his death. This city is the final resting place of Lord Buddha. Every year, thousands of pilgrims visit Kushinagar to pay their reverence to the Lord.

Kushinagar International Airport

The airport was inaugurated on October 20 by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. A delegation of 130 Buddhist monks from Sri Lanka, led by the Sri Lankan Cabinet minister Namal Rajapaksa, were also present.

The airport is spread over 589 acres, has a 3200-meter single runaway (11/29) capable of handling larger aircrafts such as the Boeing 777s. There are, at present, four parking slots for A320/321 type of aircraft. The terminal building has an area of 3600 square meters and can handle a peak passenger load of 300 per hour. The estimated cost of the new airport is INR 2.6 billion (USD 34.67 million).

A few essentials still await to be installed at the airport. The instrument landing system is yet to be commissioned, as also some internal and connecting roads. Only after these works are complete will the airport get the airworthiness certifications. Kushinagar airport will not be functional until late November 2021.

SpiceJet is the first airline to announce a regular service to Kushinagar from November 26 onwards.

International connections are expected from South Asian countries such as Sri Lanka, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, China, Thailand, Vietnam, and Singapore.

The airport is expected to boot tourism in the Buddhist circuit in India. As reported by Travel Radar in January this year, tourism was badly affected in the country due to the pandemic.

The Prime Minister, in his inaugural speech, said –

My happiness is two-fold today. As a representative of the Purvanchal area, it is time for the fulfillment of a commitment. Kushinagar International Airport won’t just be a mode of air connectivity. (Apart from facilitating pilgrimage) It’ll create an ecosystem of businesses. Tourism will get maximum benefit,” he said.

He further added –

In UP alone, including this airport, nine new airports and terminals have been made available to people. Jewar Airport, which will be India’s largest airport, is also being worked on at a record pace.”

What do you think about this new international airport in India, in a small tiny city? Please write to us in the comments section below.