Runway To A New Northeast: Guwahati’s Record Passenger Rush Signals Tourism, Trade And Investment Tailwinds |

Updated: January 01, 2026 23:05

Image Source: News Arena

Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati has clocked its highest-ever annual passenger traffic at 7.01 million in calendar year 2025, underscoring the Northeast’s rapid rise as a key aviation and tourism hub. Strong domestic demand, growing international connectivity and ongoing infrastructure upgrades have together powered this record-breaking performance.

Guwahati’s Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LGBI) has closed calendar year 2025 on a record high, handling 7.01 million passengers, its highest-ever annual footfall and a powerful signal of the Northeast’s deepening integration with national and global air networks. The performance is particularly striking given that the airport handled around 5.6 million passengers in 2023, highlighting a sharp, demand-led expansion over just two years.

The bulk of the traffic continues to be driven by domestic flyers, with 3.5 million arrivals and 3.4 million departures handled in 2025, supported by dense links to metros such as Delhi, Kolkata and Bengaluru. Alongside this, international travel is quietly but steadily scaling up, with over 45,000 international arrivals and a similar number of departures recorded during the year. New and enhanced routes to destinations like Paro, Bangkok and Singapore have started to reshape Guwahati’s role from a regional feeder airport into a genuine Northeastern gateway.

Operationally, the airport has also set new internal benchmarks. It managed 47,550 domestic aircraft movements and about 1,000 international movements in 2025, supported by efficiency-focused upgrades and process improvements. A single-day peak of more than 22,000 passengers, recorded on 5 October 2025, underlines both the stress on existing infrastructure and the urgency of ongoing expansion, including the upcoming new terminal designed to significantly boost capacity and passenger experience.

From a broader economic lens, the surge in traffic is closely aligned with rising tourism, trade and business activity across Assam and the wider Northeast. As connectivity deepens and international routes mature, LGBI Airport is poised to play an even more central role in attracting investment, accelerating logistics and positioning Guwahati as the natural aviation and commercial hub of the region.

Key highlights

Passenger milestone:
Record 7.01 million passengers handled in calendar year 2025, the highest annual traffic in Guwahati airport’s history.
Domestic demand surge:
Around 3.5 million domestic arrivals and 3.4 million domestic departures, reflecting strong point-to-point and connecting demand to major Indian cities.
International footprint grows:
Over 45,423 international arrivals and 45,474 departures, aided by direct flights to Paro, Bangkok and Singapore and other regional gateways.
Peak day performance:
Single-day record of 22,089 passengers on 5 October 2025, demonstrating the airport’s ability to handle festival and holiday rush efficiently.
Aircraft movements at scale:
47,550 domestic and 1,000 international aircraft movements in CY2025, underscoring sustained airline confidence in the Guwahati market.
Infrastructure and future readiness:
Advanced-stage work on a new terminal and continuous process upgrades aimed at easing congestion and supporting the next leg of growth.