Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the new terminal at Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport on December 20, the Assam government has begun planning a second terminal at Guwahati’s main aviation hub to cater to rising passenger traffic and the airport’s expanding regional role. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the state is considering a completely new additional terminal, noting that planning work is already under way. Following the inauguration, all operations will initially be shifted to the new terminal, while the existing terminal will be phased out over time. International flights will continue to operate from the older terminal for the present due to customs and regulatory requirements, before it is eventually closed. The new Bamboo Orchids Terminal, designed to handle 13.1 million passengers per annum, is expected to significantly enhance air connectivity between the Northeast and Southeast Asia. Operated by Guwahati International Airport Limited, the terminal is scheduled to become operational in the first quarter of next year. Beyond capacity expansion, the facility is being positioned as a cultural and economic gateway for the Northeast, combining modern infrastructure with regional identity. Improved passenger and cargo connectivity is expected to strengthen Assam’s export ecosystem, including tea, agricultural produce, handloom and floriculture, while also supporting tourism and investment flows from ASEAN markets. The upgraded airport is also seen as a key link connecting travellers to eco-tourism destinations such as Kaziranga National Park, Majuli and Sualkuchi, as well as neighbouring states including Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, and nearby Bhutan. With further expansion already being evaluated, Guwahati airport is set to play a central role in reshaping the Northeast’s connectivity and economic engagement with the wider region.