Gorakhpur is Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s home constituency and one of Uttar Pradesh’s most politically significant cities — the seat of the Gorakhnath Math, a powerful Nath sampraday monastery whose influence extends across eastern UP and the Nepal border regions. The city is also the gateway to the Buddhist circuit — Kushinagar (Lord Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana site, 50 km east) and Lumbini in Nepal (Buddha’s birthplace, approximately 130 km north) both funnel through Gorakhpur for their eastern visitor access. Gorakhpur Airport — recently renamed Mahayogi Gorakhnath Airport in honour of the Nath saint Gorakhnath — carries IATA code GOP and ICAO code VEGK, sits approximately 8 km from the city centre on the Gorakhpur-Kushinagar Highway, handled 8,67,994 passengers in 2024–25 (+19.1%), and connects the city to Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Navi Mumbai through IndiGo, Akasa Air, SpiceJet, and Alliance Air. A new terminal capable of handling 10 aircraft simultaneously is proposed, with construction start targeted by March 2025.
Quick Overview: Gorakhpur Airport
| Detail | Information |
| Official Name | Mahayogi Gorakhnath Airport (also: Gorakhpur Airport) |
| Location | Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Airport Type | Military/Public — Domestic (civil enclave at IAF base) |
| IATA Code | GOP |
| ICAO Code | VEGK |
| Owner | Indian Air Force |
| Operator | Airports Authority of India (AAI) |
| Current Terminal Area | 23,500 sq. ft. (2,182 sq. metres) |
| Terminal Capacity | 200 passengers (peak hour) |
| Extension Terminal | ₹26.87 crore; 3,440 sq. metres; foundation stone laid 28 March 2021 |
| New Terminal Proposed | Handles 10 aircraft simultaneously; start targeted March 2025 |
| Elevation | 79 m / 259 ft AMSL |
| Coordinates | 26°44′22″N, 83°26′58″E |
| Distance from City Centre | ~8 km |
| Distance from Kushinagar | ~50 km east |
| Passengers (2024–25) | 8,67,994 (+19.1% YoY) |
| Aircraft Movements (2024–25) | 5,650 (+2.5% YoY) |
| Airlines | IndiGo, Akasa Air, SpiceJet, Alliance Air |
| Active Routes | Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Navi Mumbai |
Gorakhpur Airport Location: Nepal Border Gateway
Gorakhpur Airport is located approximately 8 km from Gorakhpur city centre on the Gorakhpur-Kushinagar Highway. The coordinates are 26°44′22″N, 83°26′58″E, at an elevation of 79 metres — the flat Terai plains of eastern Uttar Pradesh near the Nepal border zone.
The city’s religious and strategic position gives the airport a distinctive catchment. The Gorakhnath Math — the ancient monastery after which the airport is now named — draws lakhs of devotees annually. Kushinagar (50 km east) and the Buddhist circuit connecting to Lumbini, Nepal generate international Buddhist pilgrim demand. Gorakhpur is also the base for Indian Army and CRPF operations in the Nepal border region.
The 19.1% passenger growth in 2024–25 reflects the city’s growing connectivity needs as the state capital for Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and as a staging point for the Buddhist circuit tourism that has grown significantly post-2021.
Code, Terminal and Expansion
IATA GOP and ICAO VEGK are the formal codes. The current terminal at 23,500 sq. ft. handles 200 passengers per peak hour. An extension of 3,440 sq. metres was sanctioned at ₹26.87 crore — foundation stone laid by CM Yogi Adityanath on 28 March 2021 — adding 10 check-in counters, two conveyor belts, escalators, lifts, restaurant, and security holding area on the first floor.
A new terminal capable of handling 10 aircraft simultaneously was proposed with construction start by March 2025 — confirm current progress status. IndiGo operates the most routes with the highest frequency: Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Navi Mumbai. Akasa Air flies Delhi and Bengaluru. SpiceJet and Alliance Air serve Delhi and Mumbai.
Connectivity and Amenities
By Air: IndiGo, Akasa Air, SpiceJet, and Alliance Air serve Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Navi Mumbai. Confirm current schedules.
By Road: City centre is ~8 km (15 to 20 minutes). Kushinagar is 50 km east (~1 hour). Varanasi is ~275 km west (~4.5 hours). Lumbini, Nepal is ~130 km north via Sunauli border crossing (~3 hours).
By Rail: Gorakhpur Junction is approximately 8 km from the airport, one of the world’s longest railway platforms. Trains connect to Delhi (~9 hours), Varanasi (~3.5 hours), Mumbai, and other cities.
Amenities: Check-in counters, security screening, departure lounge, restaurant, ATMs, trolleys, wheelchair assistance, and car rental. No premium lounge.
FAQs: Gorakhpur Airport
Q1. What is the IATA code for Gorakhpur Airport?
GOP is the IATA code and VEGK is the ICAO code. The airport is now officially named Mahayogi Gorakhnath Airport, located ~8 km from Gorakhpur city centre.
Q2. Who was Gorakhnath and why is the airport named after him?
Gorakhnath was a medieval Nath sampraday saint who established the Gorakhnath Math in Gorakhpur — one of India’s most influential religious-social institutions. The city is named after him, and CM Yogi Adityanath is the Math’s current head.
Q3. Which airlines and routes serve Gorakhpur Airport?
IndiGo (Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Navi Mumbai), Akasa Air (Delhi, Bengaluru), SpiceJet (Delhi, Mumbai), and Alliance Air (Delhi). Confirm current schedules before booking.
Q4. How far is Kushinagar from Gorakhpur Airport?
Approximately 50 km east — about 1 hour by road. Gorakhpur Airport is the primary air gateway for Kushinagar’s Buddhist pilgrimage circuit.
Q5. What new terminal is proposed for Gorakhpur Airport?
A new terminal capable of handling 10 aircraft simultaneously was proposed, with construction start originally targeted by March 2025. Confirm current progress status with AAI.
