In a recent nationwide passenger satisfaction survey conducted by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for the January to June 2025 period, airports in Bhopal, Khajuraho, and Udaipur emerged as the top performers. These airports achieved a perfect score of 5 out of 5, reflecting an exceptional level of passenger contentment across 60 operational AAI-managed airports. The survey underscores a growing emphasis on improving airport services in smaller cities while promoting sustainable and equitable travel infrastructure.
Passenger feedback remains a crucial barometer for assessing airport service quality and operational efficiency. The standout performance of these three airports demonstrates how regional aviation hubs can deliver excellent customer experience by balancing infrastructural upgrades, streamlined operations, and passenger-centric services. Notably, the survey excluded two airports, Jaisalmer and Tezpur, indicating a near-comprehensive national coverage. Bhopal and Khajuraho, both located in Madhya Pradesh, and Udaipur in Rajasthan, have become significant markers of how investments in airport amenities and service protocols can yield dividends in passenger satisfaction. Khajuraho Airport, serving an important influx of international tourists attracted to the region’s UNESCO World Heritage temples, highlights the intersection of heritage tourism and modern infrastructure.
The airport’s inclusion in the top ranks signals that even smaller cities are embracing quality service and operational excellence, aligning with India’s vision for sustainable regional development. The Airports Authority of India, the nodal agency managing these airports, attributes the success to dedicated efforts from airport staff, strategic partnerships, and a consistent drive towards upgrading passenger facilities. This is critical not only to enhancing user experience but also to promoting green travel through better-managed airport operations that reduce waste and energy consumption. Conversely, the survey revealed Rupsi Airport in Assam as the lowest-rated facility with a score of 2.65. This highlights regional disparities in infrastructure and service delivery that the aviation sector must address to achieve a more uniform standard across India’s diverse geography. Passenger experience today extends beyond traditional airport services to include sustainable practices such as waste management, energy efficiency, and inclusivity measures, reflecting the broader national agenda of zero net carbon cities and equitable infrastructure development.
Airports that successfully integrate these elements tend to resonate better with environmentally conscious travellers and urban planners alike. This latest survey is an important indicator for policymakers and airport authorities to prioritise investment in customer-centric, sustainable airport infrastructure, particularly in secondary cities. Such progress aligns with India’s broader goals of decentralising economic activity, promoting regional tourism, and fostering eco-friendly travel corridors. The promising results from Bhopal, Khajuraho, and Udaipur airports set a benchmark for other regional airports, encouraging a shift towards more balanced and sustainable urban aviation hubs that meet both passenger expectations and environmental imperatives.
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