Ranchi Airport Plans New Flights to Ayodhya and Varanasi, Boosting Regional Travel

January 2, 2026 at 06:06 PM•3 min read

Ranchi's Birsa Munda Airport is planning Ranchi Airport new flights to key pilgrimage and nature spots like Ayodhya, Varanasi, and Guwahati to boost tourism and convenience.

Key Points

1The Airport Advisory Committee approved the proposal for Ranchi Airport new flights to six new destinations.
2New destinations include key pilgrimage and nature tourism spots: Ayodhya, Varanasi, Guwahati, Raipur, Jaipur, and Bagdogra.
3The initiative supports the national goal of regional air connectivity and follows a 5.2% passenger traffic growth at the airport in 2024.
4Airport authorities will now begin discussions with major airlines to launch the new services.

Ranchi’s Birsa Munda Airport (IXR) is planning a major expansion of its flight network.

This initiative aims to significantly enhance Birsa Munda Airport connectivity across India. The proposal was discussed at a recent Airport Advisory Committee meeting. Ranchi MP and Union Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth, chaired the session. The plan seeks to make air travel more convenient for passengers in Jharkhand. It also aims to boost tourism, trade, and economic activity in the region.

New Routes and Destinations

The committee reviewed proposals to connect Ranchi with several popular destinations. These new Ranchi Airport new flights will target nature and pilgrimage tourism. Key proposed routes include flights to Ayodhya Varanasi and Guwahati. Other cities under consideration are Raipur, Jaipur, and Bagdogra. Airport authorities will now begin talks with major carriers operating at IXR. Airlines like IndiGo and Air India are already major operators there.

Supporting Regional Air Connectivity

This expansion aligns with the Indian government's focus on regional air connectivity. The Ministry of Civil Aviation's UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme supports such growth. The goal is to connect unserved and underserved airports nationwide. The airport director confirmed the chairman’s assent to the plan. The matter will now be raised with the Civil Aviation Ministry for support.

Birsa Munda Airport is already a significant hub in eastern India. It is operated by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The airport was ranked as the 29th-busiest in India by passenger volume in 2024. Industry data shows passenger traffic grew steadily, with a 5.2% year-over-year increase in 2024.

Industry Impact and Outlook

The introduction of new routes presents a major opportunity for airlines. It allows them to tap into the growing demand for pilgrimage destination air travel. The new connections will reduce reliance on connecting flights through major hubs. This improves efficiency for business and leisure travelers. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) oversees all new route approvals. The expansion is a positive sign for the broader Indian aviation sector. Major manufacturers like Airbus benefit from fleet expansion driven by such regional growth. The push for better regional air connectivity is a key trend in commercial aviation news India. The next step involves securing commitments from the airlines and final regulatory clearance. For the latest updates on this and other aviation news, visit https://flying.flights. The airport's focus on infrastructure, including discussions on a CAT-II lighting system, shows a commitment to operational safety and efficiency.