Prayagraj is the Sangam city — where the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati converge at the Triveni Sangam, one of Hinduism’s most sacred pilgrimage sites. Every twelve years, the Mahakumbh Mela transforms this city into the world’s largest human gathering — the January 2025 Mahakumbh Mela brought over 660 million visitors during its 45-day run. The airport that serves this city of eternal pilgrimage was transformed for the occasion: Prayagraj Airport at Bamrauli — IATA code IXD, ICAO code VEAB — underwent a massive expansion that grew the terminal from 6,700 square metres to 25,500 square metres, added four new aerobridges (total six), installed a CAT III landing system for fog operations, and expanded parking to 600 vehicles. It handled 10,77,393 passengers in 2024–25, a 76.4% surge driven overwhelmingly by Mahakumbh traffic. On 16 February 2025, it set a single-day record of 24,000+ passengers. IndiGo and Air India fly Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Lucknow, and Ahmedabad.
Quick Overview: Prayagraj Airport
| Detail | Information |
| Official Name | Prayagraj Airport (also: Allahabad Airport; Bamrauli Airport) |
| Location | Bamrauli, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India – 211012 |
| Airport Type | Military/Public — Domestic (civil enclave at Bamrauli Air Force Station) |
| IATA Code | IXD |
| ICAO Code | VEAB |
| Owner | Indian Air Force |
| Operator | Airports Authority of India (AAI) |
| Opened | 1931 |
| Renamed | Allahabad → Prayagraj (October 2018) |
| Terminal Expansion (Mahakumbh 2025) | 6,700 sq. m → 25,500 sq. m |
| Aerobridges | 6 (4 new added for Mahakumbh) |
| CAT III Landing System | Installed (all-weather fog operations) |
| Parking Capacity | 600 vehicles |
| Peak-Hour Capacity | 2,700 passengers |
| Runway Length | 2,560 m × 45 m (asphalt; A320-capable) |
| Elevation | 98 m / 322 ft AMSL |
| Coordinates | 25°26′24″N, 81°44′02″E |
| Distance from City Centre | ~12 km west |
| Distance from Triveni Sangam | ~18–22 km |
| Passengers (2024–25) | 10,77,393 (+76.4% YoY) |
| Aircraft Movements (2024–25) | 9,665 (+40% YoY) |
| Cargo Tonnage (2024–25) | 51 tonnes (+53.9% YoY) |
| Record Single Day | 24,000+ passengers (16 February 2025) |
| Airlines | IndiGo, Air India, Akasa Air, Alliance Air |
| Active Routes | Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Kolkata |
Prayagraj Airport Location: Bamrauli, 12 km From the Confluence
Prayagraj Airport is located at Bamrauli, approximately 12 km west of Prayagraj city centre. The coordinates are 25°26′24″N, 81°44′02″E, at an elevation of 98 metres above sea level — the flat alluvial plain of the Ganga-Yamuna doab. The Triveni Sangam is approximately 18 to 22 km from the airport, with drive times of 40 to 60 minutes under normal conditions, extending to 90 to 120 minutes during Kumbh Mela due to pilgrimage crowd management and police-controlled traffic diversions.
Prayagraj’s religious geography defines the airport’s entire commercial logic. The Kumbh Mela cycle — Mahakumbh every 12 years, Ardha Kumbh every 6 years, and the annual Magh Mela — drives aviation demand in extraordinary concentrated bursts. The January-February 2025 Mahakumbh generated a combined daily seat capacity peaking near 3,800 at its height. Outside Kumbh periods, the airport’s traffic is substantially lower — a pattern visible in the post-March 2025 decline of approximately 20% by September 2025 as pilgrim influx reduced.
The Allahabad Ashoka Pillar (the third-century BCE Mauryan emperor Ashoka’s inscription), Khusro Bagh (Mughal-era walled garden), and Anand Bhavan (the Nehru family home) are among the city’s historical attractions beyond its pilgrimage identity.
Code, Terminal and Mahakumbh Transformation
IATA IXD (unchanged since pre-2018 Allahabad era) and ICAO VEAB are the formal codes. Note: Wikipedia lists ICAO as VEAB, while some sources list VIAL — VEAB is the Wikipedia-confirmed code. The terminal underwent the most significant transformation in its history specifically for the January 2025 Mahakumbh Mela:
The combined area of the original building and the new adjacent terminal building reached 25,500 sq. metres. The terminal can now handle 2,700 passengers at peak simultaneously. Six aerobridges serve jet-class aircraft. Three new parking bays for A320-class aircraft were added. The CAT III landing system enables flights to land in dense fog — essential for UP’s winter months when visibility drops sharply. Parking for 600 vehicles was created. Eco-friendly features including fly ash bricks and rainwater harvesting are incorporated in the new terminal. The airport received a GRIHA 4-star rating for sustainability.
The 16 February 2025 single-day record of 24,000+ passengers confirmed the expansion was correctly sized for peak Kumbh demand. The weekly record of 30,172 passengers across 226 flights (week ending 22 January 2025) is equally significant.
Prayagraj Airport Connectivity: Kumbh Gateway and Spiritual Triangle
By Air: IndiGo is the dominant carrier, connecting Prayagraj to Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata. Air India, Akasa Air, and Alliance Air also serve routes. Kumbh season fares spike dramatically — HappyFares data across 8,200+ Prayagraj bookings in 2025 showed peak Kumbh-week fares approximately 340% above the annual median. Book 16+ weeks in advance for any major Kumbh or Magh Mela period.
By Road: Prayagraj city centre is ~12 km east (30 to 40 minutes normally). Sangam is ~18 to 22 km (45 to 90 minutes — Kumbh timing doubles this). Varanasi is ~120 km east (2.5 hours). Ayodhya is ~145 km northwest (2.5 hours). Lucknow is ~200 km northwest (3.5 hours). Pre-paid taxis to Sangam ghats charge approximately ₹400 to ₹600. Kumbh-special shuttle buses run at ₹50 to ₹80.
By Rail: Prayagraj Junction, the main railway station, is approximately 15 km east of the airport — on the Delhi-Varanasi-Howrah main line with trains to Delhi (~7 hours), Varanasi (~2.5 hours), Mumbai, and all major cities.
Prayagraj Airport Amenities: Kumbh-Upgraded Full Service
The expanded 25,500 sq. metre terminal offers full domestic airport amenities. Check-in counters serve all airlines efficiently. Security screening handles the higher passenger volumes. Departure lounge areas have religious merchandise shops (a Prayagraj-specific retail category unique among Indian airports), North Indian vegetarian cuisine counters serving the predominantly pilgrim clientele, standard cafes, and Wi-Fi. ATMs and currency exchange serve arrivals. Six aerobridges enable efficient boarding. The CAT III system enables fog-season operations. Arrive 90 minutes before departure; during Kumbh, 2 hours minimum.
FAQs: Prayagraj Airport
Q1. What is the IATA code for Prayagraj Airport?
IXD is the IATA code and VEAB is the ICAO code. The airport is at Bamrauli, approximately 12 km west of Prayagraj city. The code IXD was used when the city was called Allahabad and was retained after the 2018 rename to Prayagraj.
Q2. How much did the Mahakumbh 2025 terminal expansion cost and what changed?
The terminal grew from 6,700 sq. m to 25,500 sq. m. Four new aerobridges were added (total 6). CAT III landing system installed. 600-vehicle parking built. The terminal can now handle 2,700 passengers at peak. Peak single-day traffic reached 24,000+ passengers on 16 February 2025.
Q3. Why do Prayagraj Airport fares spike so dramatically during Kumbh?
The Kumbh Mela creates a concentrated pilgrimage surge — hundreds of millions of visitors in 45 days — when aviation demand far exceeds normal supply on all routes. Booking 16+ weeks before any major Kumbh date is essential to avoid 3x to 4x fare premiums.
Q4. How far is Prayagraj Airport from the Triveni Sangam?
Approximately 18 to 22 km — 45 to 60 minutes by taxi under normal conditions. During peak Kumbh bathing days, police traffic diversions can extend this to 90 to 120 minutes.
Q5. Does Prayagraj Airport have international flights?
No regular scheduled international flights operated as of mid-2026. The airport is a domestic facility with customs/immigration capability for future international services.
