The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has approved a new incentive scheme to promote international flight operations from 13 airports across the country, including Kushinagar International Airport in Uttar Pradesh, officials announced on Wednesday.

Under the scheme, airlines launching new international routes will receive exemptions on landing, parking, and other related charges. This initiative is expected to encourage more international flights, particularly at Kushinagar Airport, where domestic flights have been suspended for the past 18 months.

Pranesh Kumar Rai, Director-in-Charge of Kushinagar Airport, confirmed the scheme’s inclusion of the airport, stating that waiving charges like landing and parking fees will make Kushinagar a more attractive destination for airlines. He also highlighted recent requests from multiple airlines seeking such incentives, signalling increased interest in operations from the region.

Kushinagar Airport boasts the longest runway among all international airports in Uttar Pradesh and has completed full installation of the DVOR navigation system in the last 18 months. Additionally, about 80 per cent of work on the Instrument Landing System (ILS) has been finished, further enhancing the airport’s operational capabilities.

The 13 airports benefiting from this AAI incentive scheme include Kushinagar, Patna, Srinagar, Port Blair, Agartala, Imphal, Vadodara, Bhopal, Rajkot, Gaya, Aurangabad, Tirupati, and Ayodhya. This initiative aims to strengthen international connectivity and promote regional economic growth.