Kushinagar International Airport

Kushinagar International Airport (IATA: KBK, ICAO: VEKI) is an international airport serving Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, India. In August 2021, the airport was licensed to operate as a customs notified airport, facilitating the movement of international passengers and Buddhist pilgrims. The airport is closed since 2023 due to commercial non-viability. History The central government approved a Viability Gap Funding (VGF) of 20% for the construction of Kushinagar Airport in 2013. The airport was to be built through a joint venture between the State Government and the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The project was initially intended to be developed on the public-private partnership model at an estimated cost of ₹ 354 crores. The State Government selected IL&FS Infrastructure Development Company Limited as project consultants. The design was inspired by inverted canopies called "Ulta Chaata". The Government had received 15 technical bids in 2013 from infrastructure companies for the development of the airport. In January 2014, the state cabinet cleared the project and approved the financial bid document. Despite several attempts to reduce the cost and the size of the project, the government could not convince private payers about its viability. In May 2015, the state government decided to take the support of Airport Authority of India to move ahead with the project. On 24 June 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recognized the Kushinagar Airport as an international airport, in part to attract Buddhist pilgrims. In February 2021, the airport received all necessary clearances from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to be recognized as the international airport, becoming the third international airport in Uttar Pradesh after Lucknow and Varanasi. On 20 October 2021, PM Modi officially inaugurated the airport during Abhidhamma Day celebrations at Kushinagar, stating that it would boost the aviation sector and help increase international tourism from Buddhist pilgrims around the world. On that day, Sri Lanka's Minister for Youth and Sports Namal Rajapaksa and more than a hundred members of the Buddhist clergy landed at the inauguration of the airport as the first international flight landing. On 26 November 2021, the first passenger flight of SpiceJet landed at the airport from Delhi with 74 passengers, becoming the first scheduled flight to land at Kushinagar International Airport. Location It is located 54 kilometres (34 mi) east of Gorakhpur Airport, 47 kilometres (29 mi) east of Gorakhpur, 34 kilometres (21 mi) north of Deoria, 60 kilometres (37 mi) south-west of Bettiah and 64 kilometres (40 mi) west of Gopalganj. Facilities The airport has a single runway which is 3.2 km (10,000 ft) long and 45 m (148 ft) wide with number 11/29. The airport apron can accommodate 5 Boeing 737-900s at a time. Airlines and destinations At present, this airport is equipped with all the necessary facilities, and the Instrument Landing System (ILS) has also been installed. The airport was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi under the UDAN Scheme. However, despite the inauguration and completion of essential infrastructure, the airport remains non-operational due to apparent government inaction. As a result, domestic and international passengers from neighboring districts, including nebhouring district of Bihar, are compelled to use Gorakhpur Airport. Gorakhpur Airport operates as a civil enclave, and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is required to pay monthly rental charges for its use. In contrast, this airport is owned by AAI itself, and therefore no rental payments would be required for its operation. At present, the airport is being used only for VVIP movements, such as visits by the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister. The governments at both the Centre and the State have failed to provide a clear explanation to the public regarding the continued suspension of commercial flight operations. For the last four years, regular operations at this airport have been completely abandoned. If the airport was not fully ready for commercial operations, on what basis was it inaugurated by the Prime Minister? The people of this region deserve transparency and accountability. On several occasions, assurances have been given that flight services would commence from specific dates, but none of these promises have materialized. There is growing concern among local residents that the issue is being repeatedly delayed and that fresh announcements may be made only ahead of the State Assembly elections scheduled for February 2027. The people of the region seek a firm commitment and a definite timeline for the commencement of regular flight operations at this airport.. Statistics See also List of airports in Uttar Pradesh UDAN Scheme Buddhist pilgrimage sites Tourism in Uttar Pradesh References