The much-anticipated inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, scheduled for January 22, has created a buzz, not just among the public but also in the aviation sector. As India prepares for this historic event, private jets carrying politicians, business executives, and celebrities face an unexpected challenge – a lack of parking space at Ayodhya airport.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the temple, and the event is expected to draw around 500,000 visitors to Ayodhya for the consecration ceremony. However, the limited parking bays at Ayodhya airport are causing private jets to land and then take off to park at other nearby airports due to space constraints and security reasons.
Approximately 50 private jets are anticipated to land at Ayodhya for the grand event, reflecting the high-profile nature of the inauguration. The surge in demand for private jet services has been driven by corporate houses, travel trade, and high-net-worth individuals, creating a robust business for air charter companies.
Santosh Sharma, CEO of Foresee Aviation Pvt. Ltd, an air charter consultancy firm, mentioned that all types of aircraft, including private jets and turbo-propellers, have already been booked for the Ayodhya event. The heightened demand showcases the significance of the occasion, attracting attendees from various quarters.
The spike in demand has also impacted commercial flights, with direct flights from Delhi to Ayodhya sold out for January 21. Online travel platforms indicate a significant increase in one-way fares for the route, ranging from ₹12,000 to ₹15,000, well above the average fare range of ₹3,000 to ₹5,000.
The scarcity of available hotel rooms in Ayodhya has further compounded the challenges for visitors. Hotel tariffs have surged, reaching as high as ₹45,000 per night for rooms that would typically cost around ₹4,000. The hotel industry is working on infrastructure enhancements to accommodate the expected influx, but these efforts will take time.
P. P. Khanna, a board member of the Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism and Hospitality, highlighted that Ayodhya currently has a limited number of three-star properties reserved for government delegates and important personalities attending the event.
The travel industry is witnessing a notable increase in interest for Ayodhya as a spiritual destination. Search data from travel platforms, including MakeMyTrip, reveal a spike in global searches for Ayodhya as a preferred spiritual destination. This heightened interest is not limited to India, as users from the US, the Gulf region, Canada, and Australia are exploring Ayodhya.
With limited hotel inventory, travelers are exploring alternative accommodations in nearby cities like Lucknow, Gorakhpur, and Prayagraj. Thomas Cook reports a 400% uptick in demand compared to pre-pandemic levels, with customers considering day trips to Ayodhya and booking accommodations in neighboring cities.
Major airlines, including IndiGo, Air India Express, and SpiceJet, have introduced or expanded flight services to Ayodhya to meet the rising demand. However, the unique challenge of parking limitations at Ayodhya airport reflects the unprecedented scale and significance of the Ram Temple inauguration, creating a high-flying experience for both private jet travelers and commercial flight passengers.