Aurangabad Airport, Aurangabad: Terminal, Code, Location, Connectivity and Amenities

The city now called Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar — known for most of its modern history as Aurangabad — sits at the crossroads of two extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage landscapes. The Ajanta Caves, with their 2nd-century BCE to 6th-century CE Buddhist murals, are approximately 100 kilometres away. The Ellora Caves, where Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain rock-cut monuments span 600 years of religious artistry and include the monumental Kailasa Temple, are approximately 30 kilometres. Aurangabad Airport — at Chikalthana, IATA code IXU, ICAO code VAAU — is the air gateway to both. It is also the aviation hub for Marathwada’s growing automotive and pharmaceutical industries: Skoda, Audi, and major pharmaceutical manufacturers have plants in the city’s industrial zones, and the AURIC smart industrial city project under development near the airport is transforming the broader economic profile of the region. The airport handled 7.00 lakh passengers in 2024–25. A ₹578 crore upgrade project for runway extension and parallel taxiway was sanctioned in December 2023. The name question remains in flux: the Government of India issued an order in December 2025 renaming the airport as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Airport, but AAI put the renaming on hold as it differed from the state’s original proposal of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Airport.

Quick Overview: Aurangabad Airport

Aurangabad Airport Location: Chikalthana Between Two UNESCO World Heritages

Aurangabad Airport is located at Chikalthana, in the MIDC Industrial Area approximately 5 kilometres east of Aurangabad city centre. The address is Jalna Road, MIDC Industrial Area, Chikalthana, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra 431007. Coordinates are 19°51′46″N, 75°23′53″E, at an elevation of 582 metres above mean sea level. The 557.55-acre site spreads across the eastern fringe of what is now officially Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

The two UNESCO World Heritage Sites are the dominant tourism case for this airport. Ellora — where 34 caves representing Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain traditions were carved between the 6th and 11th centuries, with the Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) representing one of the most ambitious single-stone architectural achievements in human history — is approximately 30 kilometres northwest. Ajanta — where 30 caves of Buddhist origin contain some of the world’s finest surviving examples of ancient Indian painting, including the Padmapani and Vajrapani Bodhisattva murals — is approximately 100 kilometres north. The combined draw brings domestic and international tourists to Aurangabad Airport from across India and overseas.

The industrial context is equally significant. The MIDC Aurangabad industrial zone around the airport is home to major manufacturers including Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, Audi assembly operations, and a significant cluster of pharmaceutical and engineering companies. The Aurangabad Industrial and Smart City (AURIC) project — a planned industrial city under the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor — is being developed near Shendra and Bidkin, adding a future industrial economic corridor to the airport’s catchment.

Aurangabad Airport Code: IATA IXU and ICAO VAAU

The airport’s IATA code is IXU and its ICAO code is VAAU. IXU is the booking identifier for Aurangabad across all airline platforms — used in booking systems under both “Aurangabad” and “Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.” VAAU places it in the VA western India block. The airport is classified as a Customs Airport — it can handle customs clearance for international passengers — and has processed seasonal Hajj charter flights from the Marathwada Muslim community.

The naming situation deserves a clear summary: the city was renamed from Aurangabad to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in 2023 by the Maharashtra government. The state government proposed the airport be renamed Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Airport (after the Maratha ruler Sambhaji). The Government of India and Ministry of Civil Aviation issued an order in December 2025 for the airport to be renamed Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Airport (the city’s name, not the king’s). AAI put the renaming on hold as this differed from the state proposal. The airport continues to be listed as Aurangabad Airport with code IXU in all booking systems as of mid-2026.

Aurangabad Airport Terminal: Customs Airport With Heritage Tourism DNA

The terminal at Aurangabad Airport is a single building handling both domestic and international (Customs/Hajj) operations. It accommodates up to five aircraft on the apron simultaneously, with car parking for over 350 vehicles near the terminal. The terminal has check-in counters, security screening, a departure lounge, customs and immigration counters for international processing, baggage claim, and a tourist information counter — the last being a particularly appropriate feature for an airport serving one of India’s premier UNESCO tourism circuits.

A new terminal was inaugurated in the early 2010s, becoming fully operational and significantly improving passenger handling. By 2023–24, the airport was recording 623,915 passengers and handling them through this upgraded facility. The 2024–25 figure of 7.00 lakh passengers represents continued growth.

The ₹578 Crore Expansion: In December 2023, the Maharashtra state government sanctioned a ₹578 crore project for infrastructure upgrades at Aurangabad Airport. The project includes land acquisition of approximately 147 additional acres to support runway extension and construction of a parallel taxiway. The runway extension will enable the airport to handle wider-body and larger narrow-body aircraft — expanding both the commercial airline interest and the potential for direct international services without the current Customs-only seasonal limitation. As of mid-2026, this expansion was in planning and early implementation stages.

Cargo Ambition: AAI’s official airport page notes a proposal for opening a separate cargo terminal at Aurangabad for export of perishable and non-perishable agricultural products from the Marathwada hinterland — reflecting the airport’s potential as a logistics gateway for the region’s agri-produce alongside its tourism and industrial functions.

Aurangabad Airport Connectivity: IndiGo and Air India to Key Cities

By Air: IndiGo is the dominant carrier at IXU, connecting Aurangabad to Bengaluru, Delhi, Goa-Dabolim, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. Air India operates the Delhi route. SpiceJet has also served IXU at various points. The absence of a Mumbai route until relatively recently was a notable gap — Mumbai, just 350 km away, is the logical business hub and international connection for Aurangabad’s automotive and pharmaceutical executives. Both IndiGo and Air India now connect to Delhi; Bengaluru and Hyderabad cover the southern tech-hub corridors. Goa service connects Aurangabad’s outbound leisure travellers.

By Road: Taxis, Ola, Uber, and auto-rickshaws connect the airport to the city centre in approximately 15 to 20 minutes. The distance to Ellora Caves is approximately 30 km — about 40 minutes by taxi. Ajanta Caves are approximately 100 km north on NH-52 — roughly 1.5 to 2 hours by road. Pre-paid taxi counters operate at arrivals.

By Rail: Aurangabad Railway Station (approximately 6 km from the airport) is on the Nanded-Manmad line with connections to Mumbai (approximately 7 hours via Manmad), Hyderabad, Nagpur, and Pune. A Vande Bharat Express between Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Mumbai was inaugurated in 2023, reducing travel time to approximately 6 hours.

Aurangabad Airport Amenities: Customs Airport for Heritage Tourism and Industry

The terminal provides a practical range of amenities for its dual tourism-industrial passenger base. Restaurants and cafes serve regional Aurangabadi cuisine — the city is known for its Mughal-influenced culinary traditions including the distinctive Aurangabadi biryani. Retail shops carry Bidriware, Paithani silk, and local craft souvenirs reflecting the city’s artisanal heritage. ATMs and banking counters are available. Medical facilities are in place. Customs and immigration counters serve seasonal Hajj charter passengers. A tourist information counter provides maps, guides, and accommodation information for heritage tourists.

Wi-Fi is available in the terminal. Wheelchair assistance and free trolleys are provided. The 350-car parking lot accommodates private vehicles and taxis. The airport operates on standard domestic operating hours, with extensions for charter services during Hajj season.

FAQs: Aurangabad Airport

Q1. What is the IATA code for Aurangabad Airport?

The IATA code is IXU and the ICAO code is VAAU. The airport is at Chikalthana, approximately 5 km east of Aurangabad/Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city centre. Book using IXU or search “Aurangabad” or “Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.”

Q2. What is the naming situation with Aurangabad Airport?

The city was renamed Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in 2023. The state proposed renaming the airport Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Airport. The central government issued an order in December 2025 for Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Airport. AAI put the renaming on hold as the two names differed. As of mid-2026, IXU and Aurangabad Airport remain the operational designations.

Q3. How far is Aurangabad Airport from Ellora and Ajanta Caves?

Ellora Caves are approximately 30 km from the airport — about 40 minutes by taxi. Ajanta Caves are approximately 100 km north — about 1.5 to 2 hours by road. The airport is the primary air gateway to both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Q4. What is the ₹578 crore expansion project for Aurangabad Airport?

Sanctioned in December 2023, the project includes land acquisition of approximately 147 acres for runway extension and construction of a parallel taxiway, targeted at enabling larger aircraft operations and expanding commercial airline interest. Implementation was ongoing as of mid-2026.

Q5. Are there international flights from Aurangabad Airport?

No regular scheduled international flights as of mid-2026. The airport is a Customs Airport, meaning it can process international passengers, and handles seasonal Hajj charter flights. International aspirations include direct Gulf connectivity as the Marathwada NRI community’s demand grows.