There are very few airports in India whose entire commercial existence rests on a single human being’s spiritual legacy. Shirdi Airport is one of them. The Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir in Shirdi — home to the mortal remains of the 19th-century saint Sai Baba, venerated by Hindus, Muslims, and devotees across faith traditions — attracts anywhere from 25,000 to over 1 lakh pilgrims daily, making Shirdi one of the richest and most visited temple trusts in India. An airport here was both commercially logical and emotionally overdue. Inaugurated on 1 October 2017 by then-President Ram Nath Kovind, Shirdi Airport at Kakadi village carries IATA code SAG and ICAO code VASD, handled 7,41,540 passengers in 2024–25, and connects devotees from Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, and other cities directly to the shrine without the long road journey from Nashik, Pune, or Aurangabad. The Maharashtra government has sanctioned a ₹527 crore new terminal to take annual capacity to 2 million passengers.
Quick Overview: Shirdi Airport
| Detail | Information |
| Official Name | Shirdi Airport (also: Shirdi International Airport) |
| Location | Kakadi village, Ahilyanagar (Ahmednagar) district, Maharashtra |
| Airport Type | Public — International |
| IATA Code | SAG |
| ICAO Code | VASD |
| Owner | Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) |
| Operator | Airports Authority of India (AAI) |
| Inaugurated | 1 October 2017 (by President Ram Nath Kovind) |
| First Flight | Mumbai–Shirdi (inaugural, 1 October 2017) |
| Designated Major Airport | November 2021 (Ministry of Civil Aviation) |
| Runway Designation | 09/27 |
| Runway Length | 2,500 m × 45 m (asphalt) |
| Elevation | 582 m / 1,909 ft AMSL |
| Coordinates | 19°41′19″N, 74°22′44″E |
| Distance from Shirdi Town | ~15 km southwest |
| Distance from Sai Baba Mandir | ~15 km |
| Current Terminal Area | 2,750 sq. metres |
| Terminal Capacity | ~0.68 million passengers/year (current) |
| Night Landing Facilities | Operational from March 2025 |
| Passengers (2024–25) | 7,41,540 (+2.3% YoY) |
| Aircraft Movements (2024–25) | 6,793 (+12.9% YoY) |
| Cargo Tonnage (2024–25) | 95 tonnes (+60.8% YoY) |
| New Terminal | ₹527 crore; target 2 million capacity |
| Airlines | IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express, Star Air |
| Active Routes | Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Ahmedabad |
Shirdi Airport Location: Kakadi in Ahilyanagar District
Shirdi Airport is located at Kakadi village in Ahilyanagar district (formerly Ahmednagar district, renamed in 2023 after the 18th-century Maratha queen Ahilyabai Holkar), approximately 15 kilometres southwest of Shirdi town. The coordinates are 19°41′19″N, 74°22′44″E, at an elevation of 582 metres above sea level — the northern Deccan plateau terrain between the Nashik hills and the Aurangabad plains.
Kakadi’s flat, open terrain made it suitable for a greenfield airport development without the terrain constraints that affect Konkan airports or the military coordination requirements of IAF-enclave airports. The distance of 15 km from the Sai Baba Samadhi Mandir means the taxi journey from the airport to the temple takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes — short enough to make same-day arrival-and-departure pilgrimages practical for devotees flying in from metros.
The airport’s catchment is almost entirely pilgrimage-driven. Shirdi’s Sai Baba Sansthan Trust — which manages the temple — reported revenues crossing ₹1,000 crore in recent years, reflecting the scale of the devotional economy that the airport serves. Thursdays, weekends, Ram Navami (March-April), Guru Purnima (July), and Vijayadashami (October) are peak demand periods when flights fill rapidly and fares spike significantly. Booking well in advance for these periods is essential.
Shirdi Airport Code: IATA SAG and ICAO VASD
The IATA code is SAG and the ICAO code is VASD. SAG is the booking identifier across all airline platforms when searching for Shirdi. VASD places the airport in the VA western India block. The airport holds international airport status — it has customs and immigration infrastructure — and has been designated a major airport by the Ministry of Civil Aviation since November 2021. Regular scheduled international flights were limited as of mid-2026, though the infrastructure exists for processing international arrivals from the large Sai Baba devotee diaspora overseas.
Shirdi Airport Terminal: Pilgrimage-Focused Single Building, Major New Terminal Sanctioned
The current terminal at Shirdi Airport covers 2,750 square metres — a compact single-level building designed with the pilgrimage traveller’s experience at the centre. Annual capacity is approximately 0.68 million passengers under the current terminal configuration. The building has multiple check-in counters, security screening, a departure lounge, arrivals baggage claim, and pilgrimage-specific amenities — prasad counters, religious item outlets, and quiet prayer areas — that distinguish it from a generic commercial terminal. Signage is bilingual in English and Marathi. Information desks are well-staffed during peak Thursday and weekend pilgrim waves.
Night landing facilities became operational in March 2025 following DGCA regulatory approvals and runway lighting upgrades. Aviation fuel supply from IOCL and HPCL has been available on-site since August 2017, supporting refuelling for commercial and general aviation operations.
The ₹527 crore new terminal sanctioned by the Maharashtra government will transform Shirdi Airport’s capacity from 0.68 million to 2 million passengers annually — a nearly threefold increase that reflects the long-term pilgrimage demand trajectory. The new terminal project was at planning and approval stages as of mid-2026 without a confirmed construction start date.
Shirdi Airport Connectivity: Six Cities and Pilgrimage Peaks
By Air: IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express, and Star Air operate scheduled domestic services from Shirdi. Routes connect SAG to Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Ahmedabad — covering the six major metros and commercial capitals from which Sai Baba devotees most commonly travel. Flight time to Mumbai is approximately 50 to 55 minutes; to Delhi approximately 1 hour 50 minutes; to Hyderabad and Bengaluru approximately 1 hour 20 to 1 hour 40 minutes. Aircraft movements of 6,793 in 2024–25 — up 12.9% — reflect increasing frequency despite the modest passenger volume growth of 2.3%. Always confirm current schedules before booking and book 30 to 45 days in advance for peak pilgrimage windows.
By Road: Taxis and MSRTC buses cover the 15 km from the airport to Shirdi town in approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Shirdi is approximately 85 km from Nashik, 195 km from Pune, and 240 km from Aurangabad by road. NH-60 connects Shirdi to the national highway network.
By Rail: Shirdi Railway Station is approximately 15 km from the airport. The Sainagar Shirdi–Mumbai–Manmad express, among other trains, connects Shirdi to Mumbai and the Central Railway network. Many pilgrims combine road and rail options for flexibility around peak festival periods when flight availability tightens.
Shirdi Airport Amenities: Pilgrim-Centred Terminal Experience
Shirdi Airport’s terminal is thoughtfully designed for its core user: the Indian pilgrim, often travelling in large family or community groups, many elderly, with religious items in baggage. Prasad counters within the terminal allow departing devotees to purchase temple offerings and devotional items before leaving. Prayer areas provide quiet space for reflection. Multiple check-in counters and group-friendly security lanes assist high-volume pilgrim parties. Restaurants and cafes serve vegetarian-forward menus appropriate to the temple town’s food culture.
ATMs are available. Medical support is in place. Car rental and taxi counters operate in the arrivals area. Parking for private vehicles accommodates both short-term drop-off and longer stays for family sendoffs. Free Wi-Fi is available. Baggage trolleys are provided.
The airport’s compact size means processing is typically fast and efficient — check-in to gate in 30 to 40 minutes is common outside peak pilgrimage periods.
FAQs: Shirdi Airport
Q1. What is the IATA code for Shirdi Airport?
The IATA code is SAG and the ICAO code is VASD. The airport is at Kakadi village, approximately 15 km southwest of Shirdi town. Search SAG or “Shirdi” on airline booking platforms.
Q2. When was Shirdi Airport inaugurated and who opened it?
Shirdi Airport was inaugurated on 1 October 2017 by then-President Ram Nath Kovind. The first commercial flight — Mumbai to Shirdi — operated the same day.
Q3. What are the peak demand periods at Shirdi Airport?
Thursdays (considered auspicious for Sai Baba devotees), weekends, Ram Navami (March-April), Guru Purnima (July), and Vijayadashami (October) are high-demand periods. Fares spike significantly during these windows — book 30 to 45 days in advance.
Q4. What is the new terminal project at Shirdi Airport?
The Maharashtra government sanctioned a ₹527 crore new terminal to increase annual capacity from approximately 0.68 million to 2 million passengers. The project was at planning stages as of mid-2026 with no confirmed construction start date.
Q5. Does Shirdi Airport have night landing facilities?
Yes. Night landing facilities — including runway lighting and related navigation upgrades — became operational in March 2025 following DGCA approvals.
