CleanupBot II at 23:06, 13 August 2023

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{{Short description|International airport in Gaya, Bihar, India}}
{{About|the airport in India|the airport in Niger|Gaya Airport (Niger)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2018}}
{{Infobox airport
| name = Gaya Airport
| image = Gaya_Airport_GAY.jpg
| image-width = 250
| IATA = GAY
| ICAO = VEGY
| pushpin_map = India Bihar#India
| pushpin_label = '''GAY'''
| type = Public
| owner =
| operator = [[Airports Authority of India]]
| city-served = [[Gaya, India|Gaya]]
| location = [[Gaya, India|Gaya]], [[Bihar]], [[India]]
| metric-elev = yes
| elevation-f = 380
| elevation-m = 116
| coordinates = {{Coord|24|44|40|N|084|57|04|E|type:airport|display=inline,title}}
| website = [https://web.archive.org/web/20130522181327/http://www.aai.aero/allAirports/gaya.jsp Gaya Airport]
| r1-number = 10/28
| metric-rwy = yes
| r1-length-f = 7,500
| r1-length-m = 2,286
| r1-surface = [[Asphalt]]
| stat-year = April 2021 - March 2022
| stat1-header = Passengers
| stat1-data = 47,311 ({{decrease}} 32.1%)
| stat2-header = Aircraft movements
| stat2-data = 625 ({{decrease}} 20.7%)
| stat3-header =
| stat3-data =
| footnotes = Source: [[Airport Authority of India|AAI]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Annexure III - Passenger Data|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k22Annex3.pdf|website=www.aai.aero|access-date=11 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Annexure II - Aircraft Movement Data|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k22Annex2.pdf|website=www.aai.aero|access-date=11 May 2022}}</ref>
| opened = 2002
}}

[[File:Indigo Airbus A320 6E2065 Gaya.jpg|right|thumb|[[IndiGo]] Airbus A320 at Gaya Airport, Dec. 2020]]

'''Gaya Airport''' {{Airport codes|GAY|VEGY}} is an [[international airport]] serving [[Gaya, India|Gaya]], [[Bihar]], [[India]]. This airport is 12 kilometres south-west of Gaya and 5 kilometres away from the temple city of [[Bodh Gaya]], from where [[Gautama Buddha]] attained enlightenment.

==Overview==
Gaya Airport is spread over an area of 954 acres. An additional 100 acres of land is under encroachment while another 100 acres of land from four villages is to be acquired for runway expansion. The airport terminal building, spread over 7,500 square meters can handle 250 incoming and 250 outgoing passengers. This airport is mainly seasonal and primarily caters to Buddhist tourists coming from South East Asian countries like [[Thailand]], [[Vietnam]], [[Myanmar]], [[Cambodia]], etc.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1141228/jsp/nation/story_19267181.jsp#.VKZtXf2UfZE |title=Buddhist Tourists |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126131242/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1141228/jsp/nation/story_19267181.jsp#.VKZtXf2UfZE |archive-date=2016-11-26 }}</ref>

A January 2021 report by the [[Parliament of India]] described the IATA code as "inappropriate, unsuitable, offensive and embarrassing" for Gaya due to the city's religious significance. In its report, the Committee on Public Undertakings recommended changing the airport code from "GAY" to "YAG", asking the government to "make all efforts" to change the code. As of February 2022, IATA has rejected a code change, stating that airport codes are permanent unless a strong justification relating to air safety is given.<ref>{{Cite news|title='GAY' code for Gaya airport inappropriate; make all efforts to change it: Parliamentary panel tells govt|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/gay-code-for-gaya-airport-inappropriate-make-all-efforts-to-change-it-parliamentary-panel-tells-govt/articleshow/89381568.cms|access-date=2022-02-15}}</ref> LGBT groups in India have criticized the parliamentary committee's request as reflective of [[homophobia]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Farrukh|first=Rimal|date=7 February 2022|title=Lawmakers Say This Holy City's Airport Code Is Too GAY|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/5dgwda/india-gaya-airport-code-gay-change-homophobia|access-date=2022-02-15|website=Vice|language=en}}</ref>

== Expansion ==
An additional 100 acres of land is under encroachment while another 100 acres of land from four villages is to be acquired for runway expansion. The [[Airports Authority of India]] (AAI) plans to develop the airport as a standby to the [[Kolkata Airport]].<ref>{{cite news|title= Airport land issue: Patna's loss, Gaya's gain |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-08-13/patna/28315369_1_patna-airport-runway-expansion-gaya-airport |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103180215/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-08-13/patna/28315369_1_patna-airport-runway-expansion-gaya-airport |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 January 2013 |work=[[The Times of India]] |date= 13 August 2010 |access-date=6 May 2013}}</ref> Minister of State for Civil Aviation K C Venugopal had informed the Rajya Sabha on 28 August 2013 that Airports Authority of India (AAI) has requested the government of Bihar for a further acquisition of around 200 acres to allow the airport to be expanded. The airport is to be expanded and upgraded with the construction of a new passenger terminal building which would replace the current terminal structure. Other expansion works include expanding runaway 10/28, and installation of CAT-1 ILS approach lighting. In the future, a cargo terminal has also been planned to be built.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gaya Airport - Status, Master Plan & Design |url=https://themetrorailguy.com/gaya-airport-status-update-news-plan-design/ |access-date=2022-11-22 |website=The Metro Rail Guy |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Airlines and destinations ==

{{Airport-dest-list

| [[Drukair]] | '''Seasonal:''' [[Paro International Airport|Paro]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Drukair to resume Paro-Gaya service from Dec-2022 |url=https://centreforaviation.com/news/drukair-to-resume-paro-gaya-service-from-dec-2022-1167196 |website=CAPA |date=26 October 2022|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

| [[IndiGo]] | [[Indira Gandhi International Airport|Delhi]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://centreforaviation.com/news/indigo-to-commence-delhi-gaya-service-in-oct-2020-1027121|title=IndiGo to commence Delhi-Gaya service in Oct-2020|work=CAPA|access-date=29 September 2020}}</ref> [[Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport|Kolkata]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Indigo to operate 22 new domestic flights from 28 March|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/indigo-to-operate-22-new-domestic-flights-from-28-march-11613050923466.html|website=www.livemint.com|access-date=11 February 2021}}</ref>
| [[Myanmar Airways International]] | '''Seasonal:''' [[Yangon International Airport|Yangon]]

| [[Thai AirAsia]] | '''Seasonal:''' [[Don Mueang International Airport|Bangkok–Don Mueang]]

| [[Thai Smile]] | '''Seasonal:''' [[Suvarnabhumi Airport|Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi]]

}}

== Statistics ==
{{Airport-Statistics|iata=GAY}}

'''Passenger, and Aircraft Movement at Gaya Airport (2011-2022)'''
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 85%" width= align=
|- style="background:lightgrey;"
! Year || Passengers || Change || Aircraft Movement || Change || Ref
|-
|2021–22
|47,311
|{{decrease}} 32.1%
|625
|{{decrease}} 20.7%
| <ref>{{cite web|title=AAI Traffic News 2021-2022|url=https://www.aai.aero/en/business-opportunities/aai-traffic-news|website=www.aai.aero|access-date=14 May 2022}}</ref>
|-
|-
|2020–21
|69,655
|{{decrease}} 70.7%
|788
|{{decrease}} 78.1%
| <ref>{{cite web|title=AAI Traffic News 2020-2021|url=https://www.aai.aero/en/business-opportunities/aai-traffic-news|website=www.aai.aero|access-date=18 May 2021}}</ref>
|-
|2019–20
|237,452
|{{increase}} 11.1%
|3,606
|{{increase}} 36.1%
| <ref>{{cite web|title=AAI Traffic News 2019-2020|url=https://www.aai.aero/en/business-opportunities/aai-traffic-news|website=www.aai.aero|access-date=6 March 2021}}</ref>
|-
|2018–19
|213,635
|{{increase}} 14.4%
|2,649
|{{increase}} 8.6%
| <ref>{{cite web|title=AAI Traffic News 2018-2019|url=https://www.aai.aero/en/business-opportunities/aai-traffic-news|website=www.aai.aero|access-date=6 March 2021}}</ref>
|-
| 2017–18
|186,670
|{{increase}} 5.1%
| 2,439
| {{increase}} 11.2%
| <ref>{{cite web|title=AAI Traffic News 2017-2018|url=https://www.aai.aero/en/business-opportunities/aai-traffic-news|website=www.aai.aero|access-date=6 March 2021}}</ref>
|-
| 2016–17
| 177,663
| {{increase}} 13.1%
| 2,193
| {{increase}} 4.8%
| <ref>{{cite web|title=AAI Traffic News 2016-2017|url=https://www.aai.aero/en/business-opportunities/aai-traffic-news|website=www.aai.aero|access-date=6 March 2021}}</ref>
|-
| 2015–16
| 157,144
| {{increase}} 22.0%
| 2,093
| {{increase}} 28.0%
| <ref>{{cite web|title=AAI Traffic News 2015-2016|url=https://www.aai.aero/en/business-opportunities/aai-traffic-news|website=www.aai.aero|access-date=6 March 2021}}</ref>
|-
|2014–15
| 128,829
| {{increase}} 24.6%
| 1,635
| {{increase}} 13.8%
| <ref>{{cite web|title=AAI Traffic News 2014-2015|url=https://www.aai.aero/en/business-opportunities/aai-traffic-news|website=www.aai.aero|access-date=6 March 2021}}</ref>
|-
|2013–14
| 102,212
| {{decrease}} 16.5%
| 1,437
| {{decrease}} 5.6%
| <ref>{{cite web|title=AAI Traffic News 2013-2014|url=https://www.aai.aero/en/business-opportunities/aai-traffic-news|website=www.aai.aero|access-date=6 March 2021}}</ref>
|-
|2012–13
| 121,091
| {{increase}} 23.2%
| 1,524
| {{increase}} 23.9%
| <ref>{{cite web|title=AAI Traffic News 2012-2013|url=https://www.aai.aero/en/business-opportunities/aai-traffic-news|website=www.aai.aero|access-date=6 March 2021}}</ref>
|-
|2011–12
| 98,273
| {{increase}} 94.0%
| 1,230
| {{increase}} 108.5%
| <ref>{{cite web|title=AAI Traffic News 2011-2012|url=https://www.aai.aero/en/business-opportunities/aai-traffic-news|website=www.aai.aero|access-date=6 March 2021}}</ref>
|-
|}

==See also==
* [[Patna Airport]]
* [[Darbhanga Airport]]
* [[Bihta Airport]]
* [[Bihta Air Force Station]]
* [[List of airports in India]]
* [[List of the busiest airports in India]]

== References ==
{{Air Force Historical Research Agency}}
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*[http://indiaairport.com/airports/gaya/ Gaya Airport - India Airport Global Website]
*[https://www.aai.aero/en/airports/gaya Airport Authority of India, Gaya Airport]
*[https://www.aai.aero/en/node/74281 Gaya Airport Information]

{{Airports in India}}

[[Category:Airports in Bihar]]
[[Category:Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces Air Transport Command in the China-Burma-India Theater]]
[[Category:Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces in British India]]
[[Category:Transport in Gaya, India]]
[[Category:1936 establishments in India]]
[[Category:Airports established in 1936]]

Gaya Airport - Revision history

CleanupBot II at 23:06, 13 August 2023