Aloke Bajpai, Group CEO of ixigo, has welcomed the government’s continued prioritization of the UDAN scheme, which aims to improve regional air connectivity for travelers from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. He highlighted the importance of developing new airports in Bihar, where only three operational airports currently serve a population of over 120 million. The expansion of Patna airport and the construction of greenfield and brownfield airports in the state are expected to meet the rising demand for air travel and accommodate first-time flyers.
Bajpai also praised the government’s commitment to developing 50 new tourist destinations, particularly spiritual sites, which have seen a surge in demand. He noted that bookings to destinations like Varanasi, Gaya, Shirdi, Puri, Haridwar, and Vaishno Devi increased by 100-150% year-on-year on ixigo in the last quarter. Additionally, he welcomed initiatives such as visa fee waivers and e-visa options for select tourist groups, which will further enhance India’s global appeal and boost inbound tourism.
