Days after being inaugurated, the Ayodhya Airport has received approval from the Cabinet to declare it an International Airport and naming it Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhyadham, after the composer of the epic Ramayana.

The airport in the historic city of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh was opened on 30th December 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as heavy preparations are underway for the consecration of the Ram temple which is set to take place on 22 January this month.

Read more: PM inaugurates Maharishi Valmiki International Airport at Ayodhya

In a press release, the Cabinet highlighted that giving the airport an international status is “paramount for realizing Ayodhya’s economic potential and its significance as a global pilgrimage site, opening doors to foreign pilgrims and tourists.”

The Cabinet said that the city is strategically positioned to become a key economic hub and pilgrimage site and the international airport will attract pilgrims from abroad as well as businesses.