Vilianapcm at 16:02, 25 February 2026

2026-02-25T16:02:49Z

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{{Short description|International airport in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox airport
| name = Kushinagar International Airport
| nativename-a =
| nativename-r =
| image = {{CSS image crop
|Image = Kushinagar International Airport 2021.jpg
|bSize = 400
|cWidth = 280
|cHeight = 100
|oTop = 60
|oLeft = 60
}}
| caption =
| IATA = KBK
| ICAO = VEKI
| type = Public
| owner = [[Ministry of Civil Aviation (India)|Ministry of Civil Aviation]]
| operator = [[Airports Authority of India]]
| city-served = [[Kushinagar]]
| location = Kushinagar, [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[India]]
| opened = {{start date and age|df=yes|2021|10|20}}
| elevation-m =
| elevation-f = 266
| coordinates = {{coord|26|46|12|N|083|54|29|E|type:airport}}
| website =
| pushpin_map = India Uttar Pradesh#India
| pushpin_label = '''KBK'''/VEKI
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of the airport in Uttar Pradesh
| r1-number = 11/29
| r1-length-m = 3200
| r1-length-f = 10500
| r1-surface = [[Asphalt concrete|Asphalt]]
| image-width = 250
| stat1-header = Passengers Aircraft movements Cargo tonnage
| stat1-data = 270 ({{decrease}} 98.5%) 44 ({{decrease}} 81.8%) —
| stat-year = April 2024 - March 2025
| footnotes = Source: [[Airports Authority of India|AAI]]<ref name="AAI3">{{cite web|title=Annexure III – Passenger Data|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k25Annex3.pdf|website=aai.aero|access-date=26 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Annexure II – Aircraft Movement Data|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k25Annex2.pdf|website=aai.aero|access-date=26 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Annexure IV – Freight Movement Data|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k25Annex4.pdf|website=aai.aero|access-date=26 April 2025}}</ref>
}}

'''Kushinagar International Airport''' {{airport codes|KBK|VEKI}} is an [[international airport]] serving [[Kushinagar]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[India]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Padrauna |url=https://www.aai.aero/en/node/72108 |access-date=25 June 2020 |website=[[Airports Authority of India]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Civil Aviation Promotion Policy of Uttar Pradesh 2017 |url=http://cadup.gov.in/writereaddata/pdf/52_1_Civil_Aviation_Promotion_Policy_UP_Final.pdf |access-date=25 June 2020 |publisher=Government of Uttar Pradesh |archive-date=14 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214222033/http://cadup.gov.in/writereaddata/pdf/52_1_Civil_Aviation_Promotion_Policy_UP_Final.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> In August 2021, the airport was licensed to operate as a customs notified airport, facilitating the movement of international passengers and [[Buddhist]] pilgrims.<ref name="BS2">{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/kushinagar-airport-takes-global-leap-puts-buddhist-circuit-on-world-map/articleshow/76598359.cms|title=Kushinagar airport takes global leap, puts Buddhist circuit on world map TNN |newspaper=The Times of India | date=25 June 2020}}</ref><ref name="PIM">{{cite web|url=http://www.up-tourism.com/tender/kushinagar_airport_project_info_report_feb2013.pdf|title=Project Information Memorandum|publisher=Government of Uttar Pradesh|access-date=5 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912162619/http://www.up-tourism.com/tender/kushinagar_airport_project_info_report_feb2013.pdf|archive-date=12 September 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Kushinagar Airport declared as Customs Notified Airport">{{cite web|url=https://currentaffairs.adda247.com/kushinagar-airport-declared-as-customs-notified-airport/|title=Kushinagar Airport declared as Customs Notified Airport|date=16 September 2021}}</ref>

The airport is struggling with a number of issues that has led to the temporary closure of operations since 2023, which are hindering hassle-free operations of the aircraft operations in particular. These problems are currently being solved since the last half of 2024, and are targeted to be finished within the last half of 2025.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Kushinagar Airport Development Tower Removals and Flight Operations Updates अगले सप्ताह हट जाएगे तीनों टावर, बिना एनओसी नहीं बनेगी टंकी, Kushinagar Hindi News - Hindustan | url=https://www.livehindustan.com/uttar-pradesh/kushinagar//story-kushinagar-airport-development-tower-removals-and-flight-operations-updates-201735674586875.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250102185526/https://www.livehindustan.com/uttar-pradesh/kushinagar/story-kushinagar-airport-development-tower-removals-and-flight-operations-updates-201735674586875.html | access-date=2025-11-26 | archive-date=2025-01-02}}</ref>

==History==
The central government approved a [[Viability gap funding|Viability Gap Funding]] (VGF) of 20% for the construction of Kushinagar Airport in 2013.<ref name="BS1">{{cite web|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/kushinagar-international-airport-to-get-ready-for-take-off-113010700012_1.html|title=Kushinagar international airport to get ready for take-off|newspaper=[[Business Standard]]| date= 7 January 2013 }}</ref> The airport was to be built through a joint venture between the State Government and the [[Airports Authority of India]] (AAI).<ref name="IE">{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/lucknow/stuck-for-7-years-govt-decides-to-rope-in-aai-for-kushinagar-airport/|title=Stuck for 7 years, govt decides to rope in AAI for Kushinagar airport|newspaper=[[Indian Express]]|date= 10 May 2015 |access-date= 11 May 2015 }}</ref>

The project was initially intended to be developed on the [[Public–private partnership|public-private partnership]] model at an estimated cost of ₹ 354 [[Crore|crores]]. The State Government selected [[IL&FS]] Infrastructure Development Company Limited as project consultants. The design was inspired by inverted canopies called "Ulta Chaata".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thebetterindia.com/91624/thinkphi-ulta-chaata-rainwater-solar-energy/ |title=A Husband-Wife Duo Is Harvesting Rainwater & Solar Energy at the Same Time – Using an Umbrella |date=16 March 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://india.smartcitiescouncil.com/article/inverted-canopy-recycles-water-then-generates-solar-energy-too |title=This Inverted Canopy recycles water (& then generates solar energy too) }}</ref> The Government had received 15 technical bids in 2013 from infrastructure companies for the development of the airport.<ref name="HT">{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/lucknow/15-bids-infuse-new-life-into-kushinagar-airport-project/article1-1016310.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130224193615/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Lucknow/15-bids-infuse-new-life-into-Kushinagar-airport-project/Article1-1016310.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 February 2013|title=15 bids infuse new life into Kushinagar airport project|newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]]|date= 23 February 2013|access-date= 5 August 2014 }}</ref>

In January 2014, the state cabinet cleared the project and approved the financial bid document.<ref name="BS2" /> Despite several attempts to reduce the cost and the size of the project, the government could not convince private payers about its viability. In May 2015, the state government decided to take the support of Airport Authority of India to move ahead with the project.<ref name="IE" />

On 24 June 2020, [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Narendra Modi]] recognized the Kushinagar Airport as an international airport,<ref>{{cite web |title=UP's Kushinagar, On Buddhist Circuit, To Get "International Airport" |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/kushinagar-airport-uttar-pradesh-ups-kushinagar-on-buddhist-circuit-to-get-international-airport-2251581}}</ref> in part to attract Buddhist pilgrims.<ref>{{cite news |date=24 June 2020 |title=Cabinet approves declaration of Kushinagar airport in U.P. as international airport |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cabinet-approves-declaration-of-kushinagar-airport-in-up-as-international-airport/article31906164.ece#! |access-date=9 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Chaudhury |first1=Dipanjan Roy |title=India's Buddhist outreach: International Airport at Kushinagar for Buddhist pilgrims |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/indias-buddhist-outreach-international-airport-at-kushinagar-for-buddhist-pilgrims/articleshow/77399865.cms |access-date=9 August 2020}}</ref> In February 2021, the airport received all necessary clearances from the [[Directorate General of Civil Aviation (India)|Directorate General of Civil Aviation]] (DGCA) to be recognized as the international airport, becoming the third international airport in Uttar Pradesh after [[Lucknow Airport|Lucknow]] and [[Varanasi Airport|Varanasi]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Kushinagar Airport gets DGCAlicence for international flights {{!}} Allahabad News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/allahabad/kushinagar-airport-gets-dgcalicence-for-international-flights/articleshow/81193821.cms |access-date=27 February 2021 |work=The Times of India |agency=TNN |language=en}}</ref>

On 20 October 2021, PM Modi officially inaugurated the airport during [[Abhidhamma Day]] celebrations at [[Kushinagar]], stating that it would boost the aviation sector and help increase international tourism from Buddhist pilgrims around the world. On that day, [[Sri Lanka]]'s Minister for Youth and Sports [[Namal Rajapaksa]] and more than a hundred members of the Buddhist clergy landed at the inauguration of the airport as the first international flight landing.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Over 100 Sri Lankan clergy, Namal Rajapaksa to attend Kushinagar airport inauguration |url=http://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=77772 |access-date=2021-12-07 |website=www.adaderana.lk |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sri Lanka sends inaugural flight to India's Kushinagar International Airport |url=http://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=77813 |access-date=2021-12-07 |website=www.adaderana.lk |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=India's Kushinagar Airport declared open, Sri Lankan delegation marks first landing |url=http://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=77815 |access-date=2021-12-07 |website=www.adaderana.lk |language=en}}</ref> On 26 November 2021, the first passenger flight of [[SpiceJet]] landed at the airport from Delhi with 74 passengers, becoming the first scheduled flight to land at Kushinagar International Airport.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Livemint|date=2021-10-20|title=Kushinagar International Airport to be inaugurated today by PM Modi —10 points|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/inauguration-of-kushinagar-international-airport-today-10-points-11634691149508.html|access-date=2021-10-20|website=mint|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-10-20|title=Air India decision will boost aviation sector: PM on Kushinagar airport inauguration|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/air-india-decision-will-boost-aviation-sector-pm-on-kushinagar-airport-inauguration-7581052/|access-date=2021-10-20|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref>

== Location ==
It is located {{convert|54|km}} east of [[Gorakhpur Airport]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Kushinagar airport to be a boon for migrant labourers |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Kushinagar-airport-to-be-a-boon-for-migrant-labourers/articleshow/18637959.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402163211/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-02-23/lucknow/37256858_1_migrant-labourers-kushinagar-airport-state-labour |archive-date=2013-04-02 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=23 February 2013 }}</ref> {{convert|47|km}} east of [[Gorakhpur]], {{convert|34|km}} north of [[Deoria, Uttar Pradesh|Deoria]], {{convert|60|km}} south-west of [[Bettiah]] and {{convert|64|km}} west of [[Gopalganj, Bihar|Gopalganj]].

== Facilities ==
The airport has a single runway which is {{convert|3.2|km|ft|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|45|m|ft|abbr=on}} wide with number 11/29. The [[airport apron]] can accommodate 5 [[Boeing 737-900]]s at a time.<ref>{{cite news |title=UP gets its third international airport: Schedule of the first flight, other details |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/up-gets-its-third-international-airport-schedule-of-the-first-flight-other-details-in-10-points-11614126729497.html |access-date=27 February 2021 |work=mint |date=24 February 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

==Airlines and destinations==
Due to commercial non-viability, all commercial operations from this airport were shut down. The airport is now available for VVIP flights.this Airport would be scrapped in due course of time.<ref>{{cite news |title=अगले सप्ताह हट जाएगे तीनों टावर, बिना एनओसी नहीं बनेगी टंकी |url=https://www.livehindustan.com/uttar-pradesh/kushinagar//story-kushinagar-airport-development-tower-removals-and-flight-operations-updates-201735674586875.html |access-date=8 October 2025 |work=www.livehindustan.com |date=1 January 2025 |language=hi}}</ref>

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

==See also==
* [[List of airports in Uttar Pradesh]]
* [[UDAN|UDAN Scheme]]
* [[Buddhist pilgrimage sites]]
* [[Tourism in Uttar Pradesh]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Airports in India}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Airports in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:International airports in India]]
[[Category:Kushinagar district]]
[[Category:Airports Authority of India]]

Kushinagar International Airport - Revision history

Vilianapcm at 16:02, 25 February 2026