Login
Facebook
YouTube
WhatsApp
Twitter
Airports in North East India are essential for making travel faster and easier across this remote and hilly region. While scenic, road and rail options are often slow and limited. Airports like Guwahati, Imphal, Aizawl, and Dibrugarh now serve as vital hubs, connecting remote towns to major cities. Stunning locations like Pakyong and Lengpui offer unforgettable landings amidst mountains. These airports support not just tourism but also urgent needs like medical travel, education, and jobs. They turn multi-day journeys into short flights, making the Northeast more accessible than ever.
12 Airports In North East
Airports in North East India offer quick access to remote states, linking travellers to major cities, scenic landscapes, and important cultural and business hubs.
1. Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati
Photo: Rocker Sta / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (GAU) in Guwahati is the busiest airport in the Northeast and the main entry point for most travellers. Named after Assam’s first Chief Minister, it operates domestic flights to Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Mumbai and a few international routes, including Bangkok and Paro. The airport is being upgraded, with a large new terminal under construction to handle the growing passenger numbers. Inside, travellers find plenty of basics, cafés, small restaurants, lounges, duty-free shops, prepaid taxi counters, and car rentals. Because multiple airlines use Guwahati as a base, it has the most frequent flight connections in the region.
Connectivity: Domestic + limited international (Bangkok, Paro)
Facilities: Lounges, food courts, duty-free, car rentals
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Guwahati
2. Bir Tikendrajit International Airport, Imphal
Photo: Bao Menglong / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Bir Tikendrajit Airport in Imphal is Manipur’s busiest, and after Guwahati, the second most used in the Northeast. Located only 8 kilometres from Imphal, it links the state capital with Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Guwahati, and other key cities. The airport takes its name from Bir Tikendrajit, a Manipuri prince and freedom fighter remembered for his role in the Anglo-Manipur War. In recent years, services have expanded to include a few international connections, mostly to Southeast Asia, which adds to its role as a regional link. The terminal itself is modest but functional, with waiting areas, small food outlets, and basic shops.
Connectivity: Domestic + limited international routes
Facilities: Waiting lounges, food outlets, prepaid taxis
3. Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport, Agartala
Photo: Kingshuk Mondal / Wikimedia Commons
Around 12 km outside Agartala, you’ll find Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport (IXA), the state’s main airport. It connects the state with Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Guwahati, giving travellers easy access in and out of the region. The airport was named after Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya, remembered for his role in shaping modern Tripura. A new integrated terminal has recently opened, built to handle the growing number of passengers. Inside the terminal are waiting halls, a few food counters, and small shops. It’s not on the scale of a metro airport, but the newer spaces have made things less cramped.
Connectivity: Domestic flights to major metros
Facilities: Modern terminal, food courts, lounges, shopping
Suggested Read: Discover Enchanting Places To Visit In Agartala For A Peaceful Retreat
4. Donyi Polo Airport, Itanagar
Photo: Phil Mosley / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Donyi Polo Airport (HGI) opened in 2022 at Hollongi, about 15 kilometres from Itanagar, and became the first major airport in Arunachal Pradesh. Until then, most travel into the state meant long road trips or helicopter hops. The airport’s name comes from “Donyi” (Sun) and “Polo” (Moon), central to the traditional faith of the region. Built as a greenfield project, the terminal is modern but simple, with lounges, food counters, and straightforward check-in areas. IndiGo and Alliance Air run flights to cities such as Kolkata, Mumbai, and Guwahati, which have cut travel time sharply. Its location makes it a practical base for reaching Tawang, Ziro Valley, and other well-known spots in Arunachal.
Connectivity: Flights to Kolkata, Mumbai, Guwahati
Facilities: Spacious terminal, eateries, taxi services
5. Dimapur Airport, Nagaland
Photo: Oskar Kadaksoo / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Dimapur Airport (DMU) is the only civilian airport in Nagaland, about 7 kilometres from Dimapur town and 70 kilometres from Kohima, the state capital. For years, it has been the main way in and out of the state, where road journeys often take much longer. Flights run to Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, and Imphal, mostly with IndiGo and Air India. Facilities are limited, a few seats, some snack counters, taxis waiting outside, but for most travellers, it’s enough. Its location makes it useful not just for visitors heading to Nagaland’s well-known sites, the Hornbill Festival at Kisama, the historic village of Khonoma, or the Dzukou Valley trek, but also for travellers coming from nearby parts of Assam and Manipur.
Connectivity: Domestic flights to Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati
Facilities: Lounges, food stalls, taxi services
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Nagaland
6. Lengpui Airport, Aizawl
Photo: Bodhisattwa / Wikimedia Commons
Lengpui Airport (AJL) lies about 32 kilometres from Aizawl and is the only airport in Mizoram. Opened in 1998, it is unusual in India because it was built and is maintained by the state government. The airport is surrounded by hills, and its table-top runway makes for landings that can be tricky but memorable. Flights connect Aizawl with Kolkata, Guwahati, and Imphal, mainly through IndiGo and Alliance Air. The terminal is small. There’s a hall to wait in, a couple of food stalls, and taxis lined up for the ride to town. While it doesn’t have the scale of larger airports, it works well for the volume of passengers passing through.
Connectivity: Regular flights to Kolkata, Guwahati, Imphal
Facilities: Waiting lounges, food kiosks, taxis
7. Pakyong Airport, Gangtok
Photo: Belinda Fewings / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Pakyong Airport (PYG), about 31 kilometres from Gangtok, is the first airport built in Sikkim and began operations in 2018. At 4,646 feet above sea level, it is one of the highest airports in India and sits on a tabletop ridge surrounded by hills. For years, travellers relied on Bagdogra Airport in West Bengal and then long road journeys into Sikkim. With Pakyong, flights now connect directly to Kolkata and Delhi through IndiGo, giving the state a quicker option. Weather can still be an issue; fog and poor visibility often cause delays or cancellations, but when flights land on schedule, they save hours of travel.
Connectivity: Domestic flights to Kolkata and Delhi
Facilities: Basic terminal with food stalls, car rentals
Suggested Read: Incredible Places To Visit In Gangtok For A Fun Trip
8. Shillong Airport, Meghalaya
Photo: आशीष_भटनागर / Wikimedia Commons
Shillong Airport (SHL), or Umroi Airport, lies about 30 kilometres from the city. It is smaller than most airports in the North East but remains useful for direct flights into Meghalaya. At present, IndiGo and Alliance Air operate services mainly to Kolkata and Guwahati. The runway sits on a table-top ridge surrounded by hills, which makes the approach dramatic but also limits the types of aircraft that can land here. Facilities are basic: a waiting hall, a couple of kiosks, and taxis outside for the trip into town. Many travellers still prefer Guwahati Airport for wider flight options, yet Umroi has become a time-saver for those who want to avoid the long road journey.
Connectivity: Flights to Kolkata and Guwahati
Facilities: Lounges, limited food counters, taxi services
9. Silchar Airport, Assam
Photo: emanuviews / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Silchar Airport (IXS) is about 26 km from the town and handles most of the flights in southern Assam. It connects the Barak Valley with Kolkata, Guwahati, and Delhi through flights mostly operated by IndiGo and Air India. The airport is also used by travellers from neighbouring Mizoram, Manipur, and Tripura, making it an important link for the wider region. Facilities are modest: a passenger lounge, a few food stalls, and basic transport options like taxis and buses into town. While it’s not a large terminal, it manages steady traffic and keeps travel practical for those flying in and out of the valley.
Connectivity: Domestic flights to Kolkata, Delhi, Guwahati
Facilities: Passenger lounge, food stalls, shopping kiosks
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Assam
10. Dibrugarh Airport, Assam
Photo: FOX ^.ᆽ.^= ∫ / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Dibrugarh Airport (DIB), known locally as Mohanbari Airport, lies about 15 kilometres from town and is among the oldest airports in the Northeast. It links Upper Assam and parts of Arunachal Pradesh with Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, and Bengaluru through regular flights, mostly operated by IndiGo and Air India. Called the “Tea City of India,” Dibrugarh depends on its airport to stay linked with other regions. The terminal is plain, with waiting space, some snack kiosks, baggage counters, and taxis parked out front. While modest in scale, it handles steady passenger traffic and remains practical for daily travel. From here, travellers can reach nearby destinations such as Tinsukia, Digboi, or the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park.
Connectivity: Flights to Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Guwahati
Facilities: Lounges, eateries, prepaid taxis
11. Jorhat Airport, Assam
Photo: Pixabay / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Jorhat Airport (JRH), or Rowriah Airport, sits about 7 kilometres from the town and is one of the main air links for Upper Assam. It connects the tea-growing region with Kolkata, Delhi, and Guwahati, with flights mostly operated by IndiGo and Alliance Air. Smaller than Guwahati or Dibrugarh, the airport is still useful for visitors heading to Kaziranga National Park or Majuli, the river island known for its monasteries. The terminal is modest, with a waiting lounge, food stalls, and taxi services that cover the basics. It isn’t a large facility, but it keeps travel straightforward. Jorhat is often called the cultural capital of Assam, and the airport helps bring in tourists as well as serve local business needs tied to tea and trade.
Connectivity: Flights to Kolkata, Delhi, Guwahati
Facilities: Waiting lounges, food counters, taxis
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Assam In September
12. Lilabari Airport, North Lakhimpur
Photo: Nayan j Nath / Wikimedia Commons
Lilabari Airport (IXI) is about 57 kilometres from North Lakhimpur in Assam and is one of the smaller airports in the region. Flights are limited, mostly to Guwahati and Kolkata, handled by Alliance Air, but for many, it’s the nearest link to the outside world. Many flyers use the airport to reach Arunachal towns such as Ziro, Along, or Pasighat, places that draw visitors for cultural events and the hill views. Facilities are basic: a waiting hall, a few stalls for snacks, and taxis outside the terminal. While it doesn’t match the bigger airports of Assam, Lilabari has value because of its location.
Connectivity: Domestic flights to Kolkata and Guwahati
Facilities: Basic lounge, refreshment stalls, taxi services
Airports in North East India have transformed how people move across this remote and hilly region. While Guwahati and Imphal handle most flights, new airports like Donyi Polo and Pakyong have shortened long road trips. These hubs support tourism, agriculture, education, and healthcare. For many, they’re lifelines. Plan your journey with TripXL to make the most of routes, local tips, and smarter travel options across the Northeast.
Cover Photo: Ivan Shimko / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
