New Delhi: Airports Authority of India (AAI) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the government of Uttar Pradesh for taking over the development and operationalisation of existing Kushinagar airport on Tuesday. The MoU was signed by Surya Pal Gangwar, Special Secretary, Civil Aviation, Government of Uttar Pradesh and G.D.Gupta, ED (Planning), AAI  at AAI Corporate office, Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan, New Delhi in the presence of Dr Guruprasad Mohapatra, Chairman, AAI and senior officials of AAI. Kushinagar Airport is located at a distance of 50 Kms from Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh.

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It is an important destination on the Buddhist Circuit for devotees visiting from all over the world. AAI has agreed to take over the existing non-operational airport at Kushinagar spread over an area of 589 acres along with existing infrastructure like a runway, apron etc. for its development and operationalisation to enhance air connectivity in the region. Bids have been received for the operation of flights to Lucknow and Gaya from Kushinagar under UDAN-3.

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