Commercial operations commenced on Sunday at the new integrated terminal of Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma welcoming the first batch of passengers.
The terminal was ceremonially inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 20 last year.
“Today, Hon’ble Chief Minister Dr. @himantabiswa formally inaugurated operations at the new integrated terminal at @GuwahatiAirport, marking a major leap in Assam’s aviation infrastructure,” the Chief Minister’s Office said in a post on X.
“On the occasion, Hon’ble CM warmly greeted the first batch of passengers, ushering in a new and elevated travel experience for the region,” it added.
Jeet Adani, director of Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL), which operates the airport, was present at the event.
The operationalisation followed phased live trials covering check-in, baggage handling, security clearance and aircraft turnaround before full-scale deployment. The launch 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 organised at the arrivals forecourt, with participation from artisan communities, tea garden workers, frontline staff and personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force.
Also read: Inside India’s first nature-themed terminal at Guwahati airport
Speaking on the occasion, Sarma thanked Gautam Adani for honouring his commitment to invest Rs 50,000 crore, announced 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 the state. The culture of Assam has been respected during the construction of this new airport terminal, and as Assamese, we are proud of it,” he said.
Jeet Adani described the expansion as reflective of the region’s growing demand and long-term trajectory. “Today is more than a commercial milestone. It is a proud moment for the people of Assam and the North-East. It resonates with the Prime Minister’s vision for future-ready infrastructure and with the Chief Minister’s mission to position Assam as the economic engine of the North East,” he said.
With annual passenger throughput crossing nine million in recent years, LGBIA ranks among the country’s 10 to 12 busiest airports. The expanded terminal has a capacity of 13.1 million passengers annually, enabling route expansion and international growth.
The airport currently connects 21 domestic destinations and three international routes — Bangkok, Paro and Singapore — and handles over 130 aircraft movements daily.
Designed by architect Nuru Karim, the terminal draws inspiration from Assam’s ‘kopou phool’ (foxtail orchid) and incorporates over 140 metric tonnes of bamboo. The design received the International Architecture Award 2025 for integrating regional identity with modern infrastructure.
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