Shravasti is where the historical Buddha spent twenty-five monsoon seasons in the Jetavana monastery — more time than at any other location in his teaching life. The ancient city is one of Buddhism’s sacred sites, part of the Buddhist Circuit connecting Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, and Kushinagar. For Buddhist pilgrims from Sri Lanka, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, and Myanmar, Shravasti is a destination of spiritual pilgrimage that previously required long road journeys from Lucknow or Gorakhpur. Shravasti Airport — IATA code VSV, ICAO code VISV — was inaugurated by PM Modi on 10 March 2024, covers 57 acres, operates flights to Lucknow under UDAN, and has FlyBig’s route network interrupted by the airline’s December 2025 suspension. An IndiGo service to Lucknow is the currently confirmed active route. Plans for further expansion — Delhi, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Kanpur — are in the pipeline.
Quick Overview: Shravasti Airport
| Detail | Information |
| Official Name | Shravasti Airport |
| Location | Village Katra, Tehsil Ikauna, Shravasti – 271845, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Serves | Shravasti, Balrampur, Bahraich |
| Airport Type | Public — Domestic |
| IATA Code | VSV |
| ICAO Code | VISV |
| Owner | Government of Uttar Pradesh |
| Operator | Airports Authority of India (AAI) |
| Inaugurated | 10 March 2024 (PM Modi) |
| Area (Phase 1) | 57 acres |
| Apron Capacity | 2 aircraft (19-seat Dornier 228 class) |
| Planned Expansion | 750 acres (Phases 2 and 3) |
| Runway Designation | 12/30 |
| Elevation | 112 m / 366 ft AMSL |
| Coordinates | 27°30′11″N, 82°01′37″E |
| Nearest Weather Station | Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhya (AYJ) |
| Flight Information Region | Delhi FIR |
| Current Airline | IndiGo (Lucknow) |
| Active Route | Lucknow (UDAN) |
| Planned Routes | Delhi, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Kanpur |
| Nearest Major Airport | Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport, Lucknow (LKO, ~165 km) |
Shravasti Airport Location: Buddhist Circuit’s Western Gateway
Shravasti Airport is located at Village Katra, Tehsil Ikauna, Shravasti district, at coordinates 27°30′11″N, 82°01′37″E, at an elevation of 112 metres above sea level. The flat Terai plains of eastern UP — with Nepal border approximately 20 km north — surround the airport.
Shravasti’s Buddhist heritage is profound. The Saheth-Maheth archaeological site — encompassing the ruins of the ancient Savatthi city and the Jetavana monastery where the Buddha stayed for 25 rainy seasons — is approximately 12 to 15 km from the airport. The Ananda Bodhi Tree, the Gandhakuti (Perfumed Chamber where the Buddha resided), and the numerous Buddhist temples built by Thai, Sri Lankan, Japanese, Taiwanese, and Korean communities in and around Shravasti make it a genuinely international pilgrimage site.
The airport also serves Balrampur and Bahraich districts — adjacent districts with significant Buddhist pilgrim catchment. Lumbini in Nepal (Buddha’s birthplace) is approximately 175 km northwest, adding a larger circuit-completion travel flow through the region.
Code, Terminal and Airlines
IATA VSV and ICAO VISV are the formal codes. Phase 1 infrastructure includes a terminal building, ATC tower, apron for two 19-seat aircraft, fire station, and runway — a complete UDAN-standard first-phase airport. Phase 2 and 3 will expand the site to 750 acres with capacity for larger aircraft.
IndiGo currently operates the Lucknow service — the most commercially significant link for Shravasti, putting the Buddhist circuit destination within a 1-hour flight of UP’s state capital. FlyBig had also operated routes but its December 2025 suspension removed those services. Future routes to Delhi, Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Kanpur are in the planning pipeline. Confirm current IndiGo schedule before booking.
Connectivity and Amenities
By Air: IndiGo operates Lucknow under UDAN. Confirm current schedule before booking.
By Road: Lucknow is approximately 165 km southeast (3 to 3.5 hours). Gorakhpur is approximately 175 km east (3 hours). Bahraich is approximately 90 km southwest (1.5 hours). The Saheth-Maheth archaeological site is approximately 12 to 15 km from the airport.
By Rail: Balrampur Junction (approximately 60 km south) and Gonda Junction (approximately 100 km south) are the nearest broad-gauge rail connections.
Amenities: UDAN Phase 1 terminal — check-in counter, ATC tower, fire station, apron, security screening, and waiting area. Basic refreshments. No commercial lounge.
FAQs: Shravasti Airport
Q1. What is the IATA code for Shravasti Airport?
VSV is the IATA code and VISV is the ICAO code. The airport is at Village Katra, Tehsil Ikauna, Shravasti, UP, inaugurated 10 March 2024.
Q2. What is Shravasti’s Buddhist significance?
Shravasti is where the historical Buddha spent 25 monsoon retreat seasons — more than anywhere else. The Jetavana monastery ruins and the broader Saheth-Maheth archaeological complex are among Buddhism’s most important sacred sites.
Q3. Which airline currently operates from Shravasti Airport?
IndiGo operates the Lucknow route. FlyBig also operated routes until its December 2025 suspension. Confirm current schedule before booking.
Q4. How far is the Saheth-Maheth site from Shravasti Airport?
Approximately 12 to 15 km — about 20 to 25 minutes by road. The Jetavana monastery ruins are the primary pilgrimage site accessible from the airport.
Q5. What expansion is planned for Shravasti Airport?
Phases 2 and 3 will expand the airport to 750 acres — enabling larger aircraft operations and full-scale domestic connectivity to Delhi, Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Kanpur.
