From Double-Digit Growth to Global Awards: The Story of Guwahati Airport

Discover how Guwahati’s Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, ranked 12th in India, is soaring with record passenger growth, award-winning Terminal 2 design, and bold tourism plans shaping the future of Northeast India’s gateway.

Nestled in Borjhar, around 26 km from Dispur and 28 km from Guwahati, Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LGBIA) has served as Northeast India's aviation gateway since it was first opened in 1958. Named in honour of Gopinath Bordoloi—the freedom fighter and first Chief Minister of Assam—it holds the distinction of being Assam’s primary international airport and one of India’s busiest, LGBIA today ranks approximately 12th busiest airport in India by passenger traffic, handling over 5.95 million travellers in FY 2023–24

Operations Handed Over to Adani Group

In October 2021, the operations, management and development of Guwahati’s Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LGBIA) were officially handed over to Adani Guwahati International Airport Limited (AGIAL), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adani Group. This transition marked a new era for the airport, with the Adani Group tasked to upgrade facilities, enhance passenger services, and modernise infrastructure while maintaining the airport’s role as the key aviation hub of Northeast India.

Record Passenger Flow and Customer Experience Milestone

Between 6 and 16 November 2024, LGBIA handled over 174,000 passengers, with a record high of 20,413 on 14 November. This period of intense activity showcased the airport’s growing role in connecting Northeast India to major destinations. In recognition of its efforts, the airport became the first in Northeast India to attain Level 2 Airport Customer Experience Accreditation from Airports Council International (ACI). The accreditation reflected the airport’s focus on enhancing journeys through digital improvements, efficient feedback systems, and its signature “Gateway to Goodness” ethos.

A Fresh Chapter: Terminal 2 at Guwahati Airport

Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport is on the brink of a transformative upgrade with its forthcoming Terminal 2. Conceived as an expansive, integrated facility, this new terminal will elevate passenger handling capacity from a modest 3.4 million to a remarkable 13.1 million passengers annually—nearly six times larger than the existing setup.

The project, developed at a total cost exceeding USD 240 million—with USD 192 million earmarked for the terminal building itself and the balance directed towards new taxiways and runway expansion—marks a bold statement of intent. Importantly, the expanded runway infrastructure will support up to 34 air traffic movements per hour, a significant leap from the present 18.

Once operational, the Bamboo Orchids Terminal (T2) will redefine travel experiences in the Northeast, setting new benchmarks in efficiency, comfort, and sustainability. Spanning a total area of 140,000 sqm, the terminal will be capable of handling 13.1 million passengers per year. Key features include 10 contact gates, 42 conventional check-in counters, 6 self-baggage drop counters, 32 Common Use Self Service (CUSS) stations, 10 domestic and 2 international security check lanes equipped with Advanced Tray Retrieval Systems (ATRS), 7 departure and 10 arrival immigration counters with Fast Track Immigration facilities, 3 reserve lounges, 1 ceremonial lounge, 1 commercial lounge, and 5 baggage reclaim belts—3 for domestic, 1 for international, and 1 swing belt adaptable to either use.

Inauguration of Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport

Originally slated for completion by December 2024, the terminal’s launch has been pushed to April 2025, following thoughtful design enhancements to accommodate more facilities and offer a superior traveller experience. But the evolution doesn’t stop there. The terminal is now poised for a sleek, late‑2025 inauguration—November 2025, to be precise—setting the stage for international connectivity earlier than previously anticipated

Where Heritage Meets Innovation

Beyond its impressive numbers, Terminal 2 stands out for its design that beautifully marries Assam’s natural and cultural essence with modern functionality. Drawing inspiration from the resilience of bamboo and the elegance of foxtail orchids, the architecture is further enriched by traditional gamocha motifs, creating a terminal that is as soulful as it is futuristic.

Covering a sweeping 140,000 sqm and featuring a Sky Forest—an indoor patch of greenery designed to offer calm and rejuvenation—the terminal seamlessly blends form with function. Sustainability is baked into every corner, from solar‑powered systems and rain‑water harvesting to green‑roof designs, efficient lighting, and water recycling systems.

Technology also takes the spotlight: expect CT baggage scanners, Digi Yatra e‑gates, extensive natural lighting, green walls, and more—all geared towards a smoother, faster, and more comfortable journey.

GMC Delegation Visited Construction Site

A delegation from Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), led by Dasho Dr Lotay Tshering, visited the construction site of the new terminal, extending their congratulations to Guwahati on its state-of-the-art infrastructure.

International Architectural Recognition

The newly constructed Terminal 2 at Guwahati Airport won the International Architectural Award 2025 in the Transport category—one of just seven global projects to receive the distinction this year. This win placed Guwahati on the global architectural stage, highlighting not just functional upgrades but also a commitment to aesthetically and culturally resonant design.

Double-Digit Growth and New Terminal Progress

In the first quarter of FY26 (April–June 2025), LGBIA recorded double-digit year-on-year growth, handling 12,470 aircraft movements and 1.81 million passengers. The busiest single day was 10 April 2025, when 21,594 travellers used the airport. Delhi, Kolkata and Bengaluru remained the top three served destinations. Airport authorities stated: “This performance reaffirms the airport’s role as a critical aviation hub in Northeast India and reflects the increasing demand for air connectivity across the region.” Assam’s Chief Minister remarked that once fully operational, “LGBIA airport with its new terminal … will become an important centre of the gateway of Southeast Asian nations.”

Vision for a Tourism and Entertainment Hub

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced plans to transform land around the airport into a major tourism and entertainment destination. Proposals include a Bharat Mandapam-inspired stadium to bolster the emerging concert economy, a world-class convention centre, amusement parks modelled on Singapore’s but with Assamese cultural elements, hotels, wedding venues, and other attractions. The Chief Minister addressed public concerns over land use by saying: “Every time we evict people, there’s a perception that we’re handing land over to private developers. But in a few years, people will see that it’s the government putting it to use, for forests or other public projects.”

From the Adani Group’s operational takeover in 2021 to award-winning architecture, record passenger flows, and bold development plans, Guwahati Airport’s trajectory has been one of rapid growth and transformation. With the new terminal on track to become a gateway to Southeast Asia and an ambitious entertainment district on the horizon, the airport is poised to shape the economic and cultural future of the region. Yet, the success of these ambitions will hinge on ensuring that progress is inclusive, transparent, and sensitive to the livelihoods of local communities.

For Bhutan, Guwahati’s Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport holds strategic and practical importance. Located less than a day’s drive from key Bhutanese border towns such as Samdrup Jongkhar and Gelephu, it serves as one of the most accessible international gateways for travellers heading to or from Bhutan’s eastern and central regions. The enhanced connectivity, expanded capacity, and world-class facilities of the new Terminal 2 are poised to benefit Bhutan’s tourism, trade, and cultural exchanges—offering Bhutanese residents and visitors alike a smoother, faster, and more comfortable link to India’s major cities and onward international destinations.

Bhutan’s own aviation landscape is also on the cusp of transformation with the Gelephu International Airport currently under development. Positioned to become a vital entry point for international travellers, the airport will not only serve the Gelephu Mindfulness City and nearby southern districts but also open new tourism and economic corridors for the country.