SpiceJet opens five new air routes in Uttar Pradesh

The Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday signed an agreement with private airline SpiceJet to introduce flights on five new routes, a move aimed at improving air connectivity and supporting economic activity across the state.

The proposed routes are Varanasi-Kolkata, Varanasi-Bengaluru, Kanpur-Mumbai, Kanpur-Bengaluru and Gorakhpur-Bengaluru. The services will become operational after receiving the necessary clearances from the Union Civil Aviation Ministry and the Uttar Pradesh government.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, speaking at an event to announce the new routes, welcomed SpiceJet's expansion plans and said improved air connectivity would make travel easier while also opening new opportunities for business, tourism and investment.

He said the Centre's regional connectivity initiative, UDAN, launched under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had helped bring air travel closer to people in smaller cities and towns.

Adityanath said the expansion of air services was particularly important for Uttar Pradesh given its large population and growing economic activity. He added that the number of operational airports in the state had increased from three to five since his government took office.

The state government is also preparing to begin air services from Bareilly, while plans are being considered for connectivity from Azamgarh, Shrawasti, Kushinagar and Moradabad.

The Chief Minister said the number of flights operating from Uttar Pradesh had also increased and urged airlines to explore additional routes that could attract strong passenger demand.

He specifically suggested that SpiceJet consider launching flights between Gorakhpur and Mumbai, as well as Gorakhpur and Kathmandu in Nepal, describing them as potentially profitable routes.

The Gorakhpur-Kathmandu connection could also have significance beyond passenger travel, given the region's proximity to Nepal and the movement of tourists, traders and other travellers between the two areas.

Under the agreement, eligible Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe passengers and other categories covered by state government provisions will receive applicable fare discounts.

The new routes are expected to strengthen links between Uttar Pradesh's major urban centres and other important business and commercial destinations. Better connectivity could also provide a boost to tourism, particularly for cities such as Varanasi, Gorakhpur and Kushinagar, while improving access to larger employment and education hubs.