Bareilly is the commercial capital of the Rohilkhand region — a city that has been central to the history of western Uttar Pradesh since the Rohilla Afghan chiefs ruled from here in the 18th century, where Surma of Bareilly is as famous as the city’s cotton and textiles, and where Dargah-e-Ala Hazrat makes it an important pilgrimage for the Barelvi school of Sunni Islam. The city is also a significant transport node — Bareilly Junction is one of North Central Railway’s busiest stations. Bareilly Airport at Izzatnagar, a civil enclave at the IAF’s Trishul Air Base on the Pilibhit Road, carries IATA code BEK and ICAO code VIBY. Inaugurated on 8 March 2021, it handled 1,21,746 passengers in 2024–25 (+5.3%) and connects the city to Delhi (Hindon), Lucknow, and other destinations via IndiGo and Alliance Air. The 2,500 sq. metre terminal handles 150 passengers per hour.
Quick Overview: Bareilly Airport
| Detail | Information |
| Official Name | Bareilly Airport (also: Trishul Air Base Civil Enclave) |
| Location | Pilibhit Road, Izzatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh – 243002 |
| Airport Type | Military/Public — Domestic (civil enclave at Trishul IAF Air Base) |
| IATA Code | BEK |
| ICAO Code | VIBY |
| Owner | Indian Air Force |
| Operator | Airports Authority of India (AAI) |
| Inaugurated | 8 March 2021 |
| Terminal Area | 2,500 sq. metres |
| Terminal Capacity | 150 passengers (peak hour) |
| Elevation | 176 m / 578 ft AMSL |
| Coordinates | 28°25′20″N, 79°27′03″E |
| Distance from City Centre | ~6 km north |
| Distance from Bareilly Junction | ~8.8 km |
| Passengers (2024–25) | 1,21,746 (+5.3% YoY) |
| Aircraft Movements (2024–25) | 828 (+33.8% YoY) |
| Current Airlines | IndiGo, Alliance Air |
| Active Routes | Ghaziabad (Hindon), Lucknow, Delhi, Mumbai |
Bareilly Airport Location: Trishul Air Base’s Northern Fringe
Bareilly Airport is located at Izzatnagar on the Pilibhit Road, approximately 6 kilometres north of Bareilly city centre. The coordinates are 28°25′20″N, 79°27′03″E, at an elevation of 176 metres — the Rohilkhand plains of western UP, with the Himalayan foothills visible on clear days to the north.
Bareilly’s commercial and religious geography gives the airport a mixed catchment. The Dargah-e-Ala Hazrat — the shrine of Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi, the founder of the Barelvi school of Islamic thought — draws pilgrims from across India and the Islamic world, particularly during Urs celebrations. Nainital (approximately 105 km north through the Shivalik foothills) is one of Uttarakhand’s most popular hill stations — Bareilly Airport is the nearest commercial aviation facility for Nainital visitors arriving from Delhi or other cities who choose to fly into BEK and drive up.
The 33.8% aircraft movement increase in 2024–25 (to 828) despite only 5.3% passenger growth suggests load factors were thin but frequency was increasing — a pattern consistent with thin UDAN routes building route establishment.
Code, Terminal and Airlines
IATA BEK and ICAO VIBY are the formal codes. The 2,500 sq. metre terminal is a single building handling all domestic operations with a 150-passenger peak-hour capacity. IndiGo operates Ghaziabad (Hindon), Lucknow, Delhi, and Mumbai routes. Alliance Air serves selected destinations. Confirm current schedules before booking as UDAN-scheme routes adjust seasonally.
IAF Trishul Air Base context means the security protocol is layered — arrive 90 minutes before departure. Photography is restricted within the base perimeter.
Connectivity and Amenities
By Air: IndiGo connects Bareilly to Ghaziabad (Hindon Airport), Lucknow, Delhi, and Mumbai. Alliance Air operates selected routes. Confirm current schedules.
By Road: City centre is 6 km south of the airport (~15 minutes). UPSRTC city buses serve the route. Nainital is ~105 km north via NH-309 (2.5 to 3 hours). Delhi is ~250 km southwest (4 hours on NH-58 via Moradabad).
By Rail: Bareilly Junction is approximately 8.8 km from the airport — on the North Central Railway’s Moradabad-Lucknow line with trains to Delhi (~5 hours), Lucknow (~3.5 hours), and other cities.
Amenities: 2,500 sq. metre terminal with check-in counters, security screening, departure lounge, food and snack counters, basic retail, ATM, restrooms, and wheelchair assistance. No premium lounge. 150-passenger peak capacity is the binding constraint.
FAQs: Bareilly Airport
Q1. What is the IATA code for Bareilly Airport?
BEK is the IATA code and VIBY is the ICAO code. The airport is at Izzatnagar, Pilibhit Road, ~6 km north of Bareilly city, operated by AAI as a civil enclave at Trishul IAF Air Base.
Q2. When was Bareilly Airport inaugurated?
8 March 2021 — the inaugural commercial flight marked the launch of civilian aviation at Trishul Air Base’s civil enclave.
Q3. Which airlines and routes serve Bareilly Airport?
IndiGo (Ghaziabad/Hindon, Lucknow, Delhi, Mumbai) and Alliance Air serve Bareilly. Confirm current schedules before booking.
Q4. Is Bareilly Airport useful for Nainital tourists?
Yes. Nainital is approximately 105 km north of Bareilly via NH-309. Flying into BEK and driving up the Shivalik foothills is a practical option for visitors from Delhi or other cities not on the Kathgodam rail line.
Q5. What is special about Bareilly’s religious significance?
Bareilly is home to the Dargah-e-Ala Hazrat, shrine of Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi (1856–1921), founder of the globally influential Barelvi school of Sunni Islam. The Urs celebration draws tens of thousands of pilgrims annually.
