In a historic moment for Prayagraj, a significant milestone in the city’s aviation history was achieved on Friday, January 10, 2025. For the first time in 106 years, a plane flew at night from Prayagraj Airport, marking the beginning of 24×7 flight operations. This momentous event added a golden chapter to Prayagraj’s air service history, which dates back to 1919.
The day witnessed the landing of Alliance Air flights on two major routes, Guwahati-Kolkata-Prayagraj and Jaipur-Delhi-Prayagraj, both of which landed in Prayagraj after 7:30 pm. Later in the evening, at 8:08 pm, Alliance Air’s Bhubaneswar flight took off from Prayagraj, followed by a flight to Delhi at 8:28 pm. A total of 196 passengers aboard these flights had the unique experience of traveling from Prayagraj after dark, something that had never happened before at the airport.
Prayagraj’s airport, originally known as Bamrauli Airport, was established in 1919 during British India. It was once a hub for international flights, with a direct connection to London until 1946. The airport continued to serve as an international gateway until 1946, operated by Speedbird Air Line. However, after 1941, regular commercial flights were suspended, and the airport fell into a period of limited activity.
It wasn’t until 2003 that commercial flights were reintroduced, when Air Sahara began services connecting Prayagraj to Delhi and Kolkata, though these were discontinued in 2005. In 2013, Alliance Air revived services to Delhi and Mumbai, which also ceased after some time. Despite these interruptions, the introduction of 24×7 operations at Prayagraj Airport is a significant leap forward for the city, marking a new era in its connectivity with the rest of the country and beyond.
This development will undoubtedly enhance Prayagraj’s role as a transportation hub and facilitate greater ease of travel for its residents and visitors. The restoration of night operations is expected to improve connectivity and provide more convenience for travelers, as the city now joins the ranks of other major airports offering round-the-clock services. The new chapter in Prayagraj’s aviation history will play a vital role in the region’s economic and tourism growth, and its residents can look forward to increased accessibility to domestic and international destinations.