KKN Gurugram Desk |  The Darbhanga Airport in Bihar is set to witness a significant rise in air travel as the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has officially released the summer schedule for 2025. According to the newly announced schedule, a total of 22 flights will operate daily from the airport, catering to various routes across India. This change, effective from March 30 to October 25, 2025, marks a significant milestone for the airport and is expected to provide greater connectivity for the region.

One of the key highlights of the new schedule is the introduction of flights by the Akasa Airlines, which will be operating on the Delhi route. Akasa has secured four flights daily to Delhi, marking a strong presence on one of the busiest routes from Darbhanga. Additionally, Mumbai will also see daily flights, with multiple airlines offering services. This summer schedule is set to enhance passenger traffic, with major airlines like SpiceJet and IndiGo continuing their operations on other domestic routes.

Detailed Overview of the New Flight Schedule

The revised summer schedule for Darbhanga Airport involves a strategic expansion of flight services to several key cities across India. Airlines such as SpiceJet, IndiGo, and the newly launched Akasa Airlines will offer multiple daily services, improving connectivity to major metropolitan areas. Below are the important details of the new flight operations:

• Akasa Airlines has made its mark on the Delhi route, where it will operate four flights daily. The airline has also added flights to Mumbai, with two daily flights.

• SpiceJet and IndiGo will operate a total of 16 flights daily from Darbhanga, covering destinations such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Hyderabad.

• IndiGo will fly eight flights daily on several routes, including Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai, with specific days designated for the Mumbai route.

• The Mumbai route will have services four times a week by IndiGo, with flights operating on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, while flights on other routes will be available every day of the week.

Flight Operations and Slot Allocation

The Delhi route has seen a high demand due to its popularity with passengers. SpiceJet, IndiGo, and Akasa Airlines had all applied for slots on this route. The DGCA allocated slots to these airlines, allowing four flights each for SpiceJet and Akasa, while IndiGo was given two slots on the same route. This allocation ensures that there will be a significant daily flight presence between Darbhanga and Delhi, the most important route for both business and leisure travelers.

In addition to Delhi, flights will also be available on the Mumbai route, with Akasa Airlines and SpiceJet operating four flights each. IndiGo will provide two flights on this route, ensuring robust connectivity between Darbhanga and one of India’s busiest airports, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai.

Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Hyderabad Routes

In addition to the highly competitive Delhi and Mumbai routes, SpiceJet and IndiGo will operate daily flights to Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Hyderabad. These routes are critical for travelers looking to connect from Darbhanga to other major cities in India. The additional flight frequency will help ease the travel burden for passengers looking to fly to these major urban centers.

• SpiceJet and IndiGo will together operate a total of six flights daily on these routes, ensuring that passengers have plenty of options for direct flights to their preferred destination.

Airport Infrastructure and Aircraft Parking

At Darbhanga Airport, there are only two apron stands available for aircraft parking, which limits the number of planes that can be stationed simultaneously. This means that each plane can only stay parked for half an hour to one hour before being cleared for departure. As the number of flights increases, this could pose a challenge for managing multiple flights arriving and departing at peak times. However, airport authorities are working on upgrading the infrastructure to meet the growing demands of the expanding flight services.

Exclusion of Air India Express and Star Air

Despite expectations in recent news reports that Air India Express and Star Air would begin operations from Darbhanga Airport, the newly released summer schedule does not include either of these airlines. The DGCA has not granted permission for these airlines to operate flights from Darbhanga at this time. This decision has disappointed some passengers who were hoping for increased connectivity through these carriers, but the current focus remains on the established airlines like SpiceJet, IndiGo, and Akasa.

Passenger Traffic Growth Expected

Darbhanga Airport has witnessed a steady increase in air traffic since the commencement of the UDAN scheme in November 2020, which aimed to make air travel more accessible to tier-II and tier-III cities. With the addition of new airlines and more flight options, passenger numbers are expected to rise significantly in the coming months. The expansion of services, particularly to Delhi and Mumbai, will provide essential connectivity for both business travelers and tourists.

Akasa Airlines, in particular, is set to start operations on the Delhi route from April 4, and bookings are already open. However, as of now, the airline has not yet confirmed when services will begin on the Delhi-Mumbai route. The airline’s entry into the Darbhanga market is a positive step toward improving flight availability for passengers in this region.

Timetable for Flight Arrivals and Departures

The new flight schedule also includes specific timings for the arrival and departure of flights. The following is a sample timetable for several key routes operated by SpiceJet, Akasa, and IndiGo from Darbhanga Airport:

Future Outlook for Darbhanga Airport

The expansion of flight services at Darbhanga Airport is a positive development for the region, as it will offer greater connectivity to major Indian cities. With the introduction of additional routes and services, especially to metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, Darbhanga is expected to see a significant increase in passenger traffic.

Moreover, as the number of flights increases, the need for improving airport infrastructure becomes even more critical. The local authorities are likely to consider expanding the number of apron stands and enhancing the overall capacity of the airport to handle the growing number of aircraft and passengers.

The announcement of the summer schedule for Darbhanga Airport is a significant step forward in enhancing air travel connectivity for the region. With 22 daily flights and new routes to cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, the airport is poised to cater to the growing demand for air travel. The entry of Akasa Airlines into the Darbhanga market and the continued services by SpiceJet and IndiGo will provide more options for passengers.