PM Modi Unveils Terminal 3 at Lucknow Airport and 5 Others in Uttar Pradesh

In a significant development, Prime Minister has officially inaugurated Terminal 3 of the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow. Alongside, he also unveiled five additional airports spread across various districts of Uttar Pradesh, namely Aligarh, Azamgarh, Chitrakoot, Moradabad, and Shravasti.

Addressing the occasion, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of bolstering infrastructure in tier 2 and tier 3 cities to sustain urbanization momentum. He emphasized that smaller cities deserve quality air connectivity and modern highways, matching those of major metropolitan areas.

Among the newly inaugurated airports, Shravasti's inclusion is noteworthy as it forms a part of the Buddha circuit. Having secured a 2B VFR (Visual Flight Rules) license from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on February 2, Shravasti airport now facilitates commercial operations for smaller 19-seater aircraft at Lucknow Airport

This development signifies a substantial leap in regional connectivity, enabling daily flights between these districts and Lucknow. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) will oversee operations at these airports, with one daily flight scheduled on each route.

Earlier, Chitrakoot airport received its 2B VFR license from DGCA on January 10, while Aligarh airport obtained certification for its 1500-meter runway in the first week of January. In November of the previous year, authorities granted licenses for commercial operations to Moradabad, with its 2100-meter runway, and Azamgarh, boasting a 1499-meter runway.. The central government's regional connectivity UDAN scheme has developed these airports.

To qualify for the 2B VFR license, runways must ensure clear visibility for aircraft landing up to 550 meters. Furthermore, projections indicate that Lucknow airport's Terminal 3 (T3) is poised to accommodate 8 million passengers annually, with a peak-hour capacity of 4000 passengers, underscoring its significance in bolstering regional air travel.