- The new terminal becomes operational in record time following phased transition and system validation.
- The nation’s 10th busiest airport’s capacity rises to 13.1 million passengers annually with 21 domestic and
three international routes.
- The indigenous design integrates Assam’s kopou phool, bholuka and Arunachal Pradesh’s Apatani bamboo
traditions.
Guwahati, 22 February 2026: The new terminal at Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport
(LGBIA) began commercial operations this evening, raising annual passenger capacity to 13.1 million and reinforcing
Guwahati’s position as the principal aviation gateway to India’s strategic North-Eastern region to South and
Southeast Asia.
The transition followed a phased, operations-led activation, with live trials conducted across check-in,
baggage handling, security and aircraft turnaround before full deployment. The terminal was inaugurated
by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 20, 2025.
The commencement of operations was attended by Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma and Mr
Jeet Adani, Director, Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL), India’s largest private airport
operator. The event was marked by the issuance of a ceremonial boarding pass to the first departing
passenger and the arrival of an Akasa Air flight from Mumbai at the new facility. A traditional
lamp-lighting ceremony and cultural performances were held in the arrivals forecourt, with participation
from artisan communities, tea garden workers, frontline staff and Central Industrial Security Force
(CISF) personnel, underscoring the region’s cultural identity alongside infrastructure expansion.
Hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “I express my gratitude
and we are thankful to Mr Gautam Adani for keeping his commitment of investing Rs 50,000 crore made
during Advantage Assam 2.0, last year. I believe with the operationalisation of this new Terminal,
Assam’s tourism will get a boost. It will be a gamechanger for Assam. The culture of Assam has been
respected during the construction of this new airport terminal, and as Assamese, we are proud of it.”
Mr Jeet Adani said the expansion reflects the region’s evolving demand and long-term
growth trajectory. “Today is more than a commercial milestone. It is a proud moment for the people of
Assam and the North-East. This achievement belongs to the countless hands and hearts that turned vision
into reality. It resonates with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision for future-ready infrastructure and
with the Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma’s mission to position Assam as the economic
engine of the North-East.”
Traffic Growth and National Positioning
Guwahati has emerged as one of India’s fastest-growing non-metro airports, recording consistent traffic expansion
over the past decade. With throughput crossing nine million passengers in recent years, the airport ranks among the
country’s top 10 to 12 busiest airports by passenger volume. The expanded 13.1 million capacity provides headroom
for route additions, higher aircraft frequencies and international network growth.
The airport connects 21 domestic destinations and three international routes, including Bangkok, Paro and Singapore
and currently handles more than 130 aircraft traffic movements (ATMs) daily. The additional capacity is expected to
strengthen Guwahati’s role as a regional hub linking the North-East with mainland India and Southeast Asia.
System validation exercises covered airline coordination, ground handling, emergency protocols and digital
integration. Digi Yatra-enabled processing, integrated wayfinding and centralised communication systems are
operational. Retail and food services are being introduced in stages.
Architecture and Cultural Identity
Designed by internationally acclaimed Indian architect Mr Nuru Karim, the terminal draws inspiration from Assam’s
kopou phool (foxtail orchid) and incorporates more than 140 metric tonnes (MT) of bamboo. Architectural references
to Assam’s bholuka bamboo craftsmanship and the bamboo-based structural traditions associated with the Apatani tribe
of Arunachal Pradesh reflect the wider cultural fabric of the North-East.
A vaulted roofline enhances spatial continuity and natural light distribution, while an amphitheatre-style arrivals
forecourt introduces travellers to regional art and performance traditions.
The design received the International Architecture Award 2025 for integrating regional identity with contemporary
infrastructure.
The airport is operated by AAHL through its subsidiary Guwahati International Airport Limited (GIAL). AAHL also
manages airports in Thiruvananthapuram, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Lucknow, Jaipur, Ahmedabad and Mangaluru.
