Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi

Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, officially designated as Varanasi International Airport (VNS), is named in honor of India’s second Prime Minister, Lal Bahadur Shastri, a title it formally received in October 2005. Prior to this renaming, the facility was known simply as Varanasi Airport. While the site has served aviation needs since the mid-20th century, the modern era of the facility began with significant infrastructure upgrades rather than replacing a prior secondary airfield. According to Airports Authority of India data for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, it ranks as the 21st busiest airport in India by passenger traffic, handling approximately 2.9 million travelers annually. Significant milestones in its development include the inauguration of a new integrated terminal in 2010 and its recognition by the Airports Council International as the best airport in the Asia-Pacific region for its size category in 2020. Furthermore, the airport is notable for an ongoing expansion project that involves the unique engineering feat of constructing a highway tunnel beneath the landing strip to accommodate the NH-31. As the primary gateway to Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities and the spiritual capital of India, the airport plays a critical role in supporting the region's status as a premier religious and heritage destination. It facilitates the influx of millions of pilgrims and international tourists visiting the Ganges ghats and the nearby Buddhist site of Sarnath, serving as a vital link for the cultural and economic vitality of eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Airport Information

Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport Address