Decline in Ayodhya flights reflects diminishing 'interest'

Ayodhya, NT Bureau: When Prime Minister Modi launched the Ayodhya airport three weeks before the Pran Pratistha, airlines swiftly began operations to the temple town.

By the time Modi dedicated the new Ram temple on January 22, Maharshi Valmiki International Airport was bustling with daily flights to and from around 20 major cities in India, with prospects of international flights on the horizon.

However, less than seven months later, flights from at least 13 cities have been suspended, all within the past two months, due to insufficient passenger demand.

This decline has sparked concerns about the airport's long-term viability, reports The Telegraph. Aviation officials have attributed the drop in passenger numbers to the monsoon season, though they did not clarify how this specifically affects demand.

They remain optimistic that traffic will pick up in the near future. “Several airlines that previously operated daily flights have reduced their services to weekly or biweekly schedules. Currently, there are direct flights from Ahmedabad, Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, but services from cities like Hyderabad, Patna, Darbhanga, and Calcutta have ceased due to low passenger volumes,” an Ayodhya aviation official said.

“The initial surge in visitors was driven by the novelty of the Ram temple. As the initial excitement wanes, we anticipate a steady, though moderate, flow of travelers in the future,” he added.

Following the airport's inauguration on December 30 last year, PM Modi conducted a road show from the airport to the town.

Both central and state governments had predicted a high influx of foreign tourists to Ayodhya. Major airlines quickly began flights to and from Ayodhya, with promises of international routes soon to follow.

Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia had announced plans for a dedicated international runway, . Yet, government sources reveal that no international airlines have expressed interest in flying to Ayodhya.