New Terminal at Guwahati Airport Becomes Operational

Guwahati: The newly constructed terminal of the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport became operational today, marking a major milestone in Assam’s aviation and infrastructure growth.

The formal operational ceremony began shortly after Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma arrived at the venue. Also present at the event was Director of Adani Airport Holdings Limited, Jeet Adani.

The terminal had earlier been inaugurated on December 20, 2025, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. From today, it officially begins full-scale operations.

First Flight and Grand Welcome

The first flight to operate from the new terminal was an Akasa Air aircraft arriving from Mumbai. The same aircraft later departed for Mumbai, symbolically marking the beginning of services from the state-of-the-art facility. Passengers arriving on the inaugural flight were welcomed with traditional Assamese ‘gamosas’ by airport authorities.

Several travellers praised the modern design and aesthetics of the new terminal.

Designed as ‘Sky Forest’ Inspired by Assam’s Identity

Built by the Adani Group at an estimated cost of Rs 4,000 crore, the 1.40 lakh square metre terminal has been designed in a “Sky Forest” theme, reflecting Assam’s biodiversity and vibrant cultural heritage.

A striking feature of the terminal is the use of 140 metric tonnes of locally sourced bamboo in its construction, giving it a distinct regional character. The design also incorporates elements inspired by the foxtail orchid (Kopou), the state flower of Assam. The surrounding area has been landscaped with the plantation of nearly one lakh trees, creating a lush green environment.

Inside the terminal, visitors are offered visual glimpses of Kaziranga and other major tourist destinations of the state. A statue of Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi also stands within the airport premises.

The new facility is equipped with full-body scanners, contactless travel systems, and fast-track immigration services. It will handle both domestic and international flights and is expected to increase passenger handling capacity from 6.6 million annually to 13.1 million.

CM Highlights Future Plans

Addressing the reporters, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described the day as a “moment of pride” for Assam. He thanked Gautam Adani and Jeet Adani for constructing what he termed a “visually stunning and culturally rooted” terminal.

“This is a golden time for Assam,” the Chief Minister said, adding that the state is witnessing rapid infrastructure growth — including projects such as the Kaziranga elevated corridor and the Guwahati–North Guwahati bridge.

He announced that discussions are underway with the Adani Group to construct two luxury hotels — in the 4-star and 5-star categories — on vacant land in front of the terminal. Plans are also in place to establish an Aviation Training Centre and an MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) hub near the airport. The state government will allocate land for these projects, he said.

According to the Chief Minister, these initiatives will boost tourism, industrial development, and employment opportunities in the state. He also expressed hope that the large-scale use of bamboo in the terminal would revive and strengthen Assam’s bamboo industry.

The old terminal building will now be repurposed for airport administrative operations.

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