Prayagraj Airport Sees Record Air Traffic Amid Maha Kumbh Rush

Prayagraj: The Prayagraj airport witnessed an unprecedented surge in air traffic as thousands of devotees, dignitaries, and celebrities flocked to the Maha Kumbh, one of the largest spiritual gatherings in the world. The airport handled up to 70 private jets and chartered flights daily on weekends, apart from an average of 148 scheduled flights per day, marking a record-breaking increase in passenger movement.

Passenger Traffic Hits New High

According to a senior Airports Authority of India (AAI) official, February 21 set a new record with 24,512 passengers arriving and departing via 236 flights in a single day. This was a sharp contrast to the airport's usual 20 scheduled flights daily, carrying less than a thousand passengers.

Prayagraj Airport Director Mukesh Chandra Upadhyay confirmed that air traffic spiked sharply after the Mauni Amavasya holy dip on January 29. “The rush was beyond our expectations, and airport operations have become more challenging,” he said.

Leaders, Business Tycoons, and Celebrities Arrive in Private Jets

Several high-profile personalities, including President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, visited Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh. Governors, chief ministers, MPs, MLAs, business tycoons, and international delegates also arrived, many opting for private jets and chartered flights.

“We recently received a contingent of 180 politicians from Rajasthan who took chartered flights for the Kumbh,” Upadhyay added.

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Corporate Giants Among Visitors

Top industrialists like Mukesh and Anil Ambani, Gautam Adani, Pawan Munjal, Anil Agarwal, and leaders of the Hinduja and TVS Groups also visited with their families.

The airport, jointly operated by the Indian Air Force and AAI, saw a significant rise in night landings, with seven to eight aircraft operating post-sundown daily.

First International Flight in 93 Years

Marking a historic moment, the first international flight in 93 years landed in Prayagraj in January, carrying Laurene Powell Jobs, billionaire philanthropist and wife of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. Since then, four more international flights have arrived for the Maha Kumbh.

Also Read: Maha Kumbh: Cases Against 140 Social Media Handles for Sharing 'Misleading' Content

Airport Expansion and Future Plans

The airport is undergoing major upgrades, with 80% of expansion work already completed. Officials said Prayagraj is set to become a key part of Uttar Pradesh’s “spiritual triangle” along with Varanasi and Ayodhya, enhancing religious tourism in the region.

“We will be fully prepared for the next Kumbh once the upgrades are complete,” Upadhyay assured.

Reflecting on the Maha Kumbh rush, he noted a significant shift in people's attitude toward air travel. “Many passengers, exhausted from the Mela, were simply grateful for a seat in the lounge. The youth, in particular, showed a remarkable change in mindset regarding air travel after their holy dip at Sangam,” he said.

With record-breaking footfall and unmatched air traffic, Prayagraj Airport has emerged as a critical hub for spiritual tourism, reinforcing its importance for future mega-events.