Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport emerges as one of the busiest in India

Airport saw over 6 million passengers travelling through it and 55,066 aircraft movements in 2018-19

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport at Borjhar here has emerged as one of the busiest airports in the country.

The only international airport in the North Eastern Region has seen a footfall of over six million during 2018-19, registering a growth of 27.46 per cent compared to the previous year (2017-2018).

Sources in the Airports Authority of India (AAI) told The Sentinel that altogether 60,18,054 passengers had travelled through the LGBI airport with 55,066 aircraft movements during 2018-19. In 2017-18, the LGBI airport had witnessed a footfall of 47, 21,422 with 45,513 aircraft movements.

While there has been a footfall growth of 27.46 per cent in 2018-19, the LGBI Airport has seen an increase of 20.99 per cent aircraft movements in the same year compared to 2017-18.

Sources said air cargo movement had also seen a surge of 10.02 per cent at LGBI airport during 2018-19. The total cargo transported in 2018-19 was 23,847 tonnes compared to 21,676 tonnes in 2017-1.

“Guwahati has become the aviation hub for the Northeast as over 120 commercial flights (both arrivals and departures) being operated from LGBI Airport every day. The number of such flights is expected to be doubled in the coming days,” an AAI source said. The airport is poised to witness more traffic in coming days as it will be made operational 24x7 from this month.

On the other hand, LGBI Airport is scheduled to get a swanky new terminal building by March 2021. The new building, spread over 90,000 square metres, will be equipped with world-class passenger facilities and have the capacity to handle 3,100 passengers during peak hours. The interiors of the building will depict local handicrafts, murals and popular tourist destinations of the State.

Also read: International Air Cargo Complex Opened At LGBI Airport