Summary
- SpiceJet will launch eight new flight routes from Ayodhya Airport to key Indian cities, aiming to meet the increasing demand for travel after the inauguration of the Ram Temple.
- The airline’s strategic expansion aligns with its focus on regional connectivity.
- Ayodhya’s popularity has grown significantly with the inauguration of the temple, leading to multiple airlines announcing direct flights from the city, and more carriers are expected to join in the future.
Indian low-cost carrier SpiceJet has announced multiple new routes out of the newly opened Ayodhya Airport in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The airline focuses quite a bit on tier 2 and 3 connections and is hoping to cash in on the increasing demand for travel to Ayodhya after the inauguration of a temple dedicated to the Hindu Lord Ram.
Eight new flights
SpiceJet will connect Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhya Dham (AYJ), with new flight routes to eight destinations: Delhi, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Patna, Darbhanga, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.
These new flights will commence on February 1 and will be flagged off by India’s Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. SpiceJet has chosen key Indian cities from where it anticipates strong demand for Ayodhya.
This strategic expansion aligns with SpiceJet’s strategy to offer travel options to passengers through the growth of regional connectivity. The airline operated a special flight from Delhi to Ayodhya on January 21 for passengers attending the special ceremony at the temple. The return flight was on the same day.
To commemorate the inauguration of the new temple, SpiceJet also recently offered a special sale on non-stop domestic and international flights for the travel period between January 22 and September 30.
Growing popularity
While Ayodhya has always had a special significance for many people within the Hindu community, the recent inauguration of the Ram Temple in the city has increased its popularity even more. More than 500,000 people visited the temple on the first day, and the footfall on regular days is also expected to be significantly high.
Naturally, airlines are lining up to offer direct flights out of the city to capitalize on the opportunity. IndiGo was the first airline to land in Ayodhya earlier in January, and since then, several other airlines have announced flights out of the new airport.
IndiGo first announced direct Ayodhya services from Delhi and Mumbai and later added Ahmedabad to the list. Air India Express also announced flights from Delhi and then expanded its offering to other destinations, such as Bengaluru and Kolkata.
India’s newest low-cost airline, Akasa Air, also recently announced a one-stop Pune to Ayodhya flight via Delhi. The service will start from February 15.
About the airport
Ayodhya’s Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhya Dham, was inaugurated by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 30. It has been developed at a cost of almost $42 million and comprises a 6,500-square-meter terminal building that can accommodate 300 passengers during peak hours and handle over 600,000 passengers every year.
Airlines have already started establishing several routes to Ayodhya, which is set to become a significant pilgrimage site in the country. It wouldn’t be a surprise if more carriers joined the fray and offered several more services to the city.
Are you planning to travel to Ayodhya anytime soon? Please let us know in the comment section below.
