• 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. 

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.

About Guwahati International Airport Limited (GIAL)

Guwahati International Airport Limited (GIAL) Guwahati, managed by Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL), a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Limited, the flagship company of the globally diversified Adani Group, is the largest private operator of airports in India. GIAL is responsible for the operation and modernisation of Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport (LGBI Airport), Guwahati, a key aviation asset and the gateway to Northeast India.

LGBI Airport (IATA: GAU, ICAO: VEGT)  with a legacy spanning 67 years, serves as the premier gateway to Northeast India and continues to enhance air connectivity across domestic and international sectors. In FY 2024-25, the airport successfully managed 6.57 million passengers, including 91,594 international passengers and 1,009 international ATMs, along with 45,410 domestic ATMs, marking a significant expansion in global outreach.

 With a ‘digital-first’ philosophy, LGBI Airport is committed to delivering a seamless passenger experience, leveraging state-of-the-art technology and modern infrastructure. As a key EXIM and logistics hub, LGBI Airport recorded 12,893 metric tonnes (MT) of cargo in FY 2024-25.

In December 2024, LGBI Airport was recognised for its commitment to customer excellence, achieving Level 2 accreditation by the Airports Council International (ACI) Airport Customer Experience programme. Further reinforcing its sustainability efforts, the airport received the prestigious Greentech PCWR Award 2024 for Waste Management & Recycling Leadership.

About Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL)

Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL) is India’s largest operator of Public Private Partnership airports dedicated to transforming the country’s aviation landscape with innovative, sustainable, and customer-centric solutions. Adani Airports is a part of the Adani Group’s flagship company, Adani Enterprises Ltd., that aims to extend the company’s vision as a global integrated leader in infrastructure and transportation. In 2019, AAHL won the mandate to modernise and operate six airports, including Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Mangaluru, Jaipur, Guwahati and Thiruvananthapuram through a competitive tendering process by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). AAHL manages Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport at Mumbai and will soon operationalise Navi Mumbai International Airport at Navi Mumbai, taking the total tally of airports under the AAHL banner to eight.

AAHL strives to deliver world-class passenger experiences, enhance connectivity, and foster economic growth. Through its commitment to operational excellence, technological advancement, and stakeholder engagement, AAHL is shaping the future of air travel and contributing to India’s global standing in the aviation sector.

About Adani Enterprises Ltd (AEL)

Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL) is the flagship company of Adani Group, one of India’s largest business organisations. Over the years, Adani Enterprises has focused on building emerging infrastructure businesses, contributing to nation-building and divesting them into separate listed entities. Having successfully built sizeable and scalable businesses like Adani Ports & SEZ, Adani Energy Solutions, Adani Power, Adani Green Energy and Adani Total Gas, the company has contributed to make India self-reliant with our robust businesses. This has also led to significant returns to our shareholders for three decades.

The next generation of its strategic business investments are centered around green hydrogen ecosystem, airport management, data center, roads and primary industries like copper and petrochem – all of which have significant scope for value unlocking.