NITN | @notintownlive | 25 Aug 2026, 02:11 am
Gaya-Bangkok
IndiGo has launched a direct Gaya-Bangkok flight to boost Buddhist tourism in Bihar. Photo: ChatGPT
Bihar's Gaya is set to get a direct international air link to Bangkok, with IndiGo announcing twice-weekly flights from October 26, opening a faster route for pilgrims, tourists and business travellers.
IndiGo will operate the new service every Monday and Thursday, eliminating the need for passengers travelling between Gaya and Bangkok to take connecting flights.
The airline said the new route is expected to strengthen religious and cultural ties between India and Thailand while supporting economic activity in Bihar.
Bodh Gaya to get major boost
The new connectivity is likely to benefit Bodh Gaya, one of the world's most important Buddhist pilgrimage destinations.
The city is home to the Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Buddhism's most revered pilgrimage centres.
Thousands of Thai and other international visitors travel to Bodh Gaya each year, and the direct connection could make the journey significantly more convenient.
The route is also expected to benefit leisure travellers and tourists, potentially boosting local hotels, transport operators, restaurants and other tourism-dependent businesses.
IndiGo expands India-Thailand network
The new Gaya-Bangkok service adds to IndiGo's expanding international network between India and Thailand.
The airline currently operates more than 140 flights a week between the two countries. Bangkok is already connected with Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Bhubaneswar.
IndiGo also operates direct flights to Phuket from Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Kolkata, while Delhi has a direct connection to Krabi.
India's Air travel market continues to grow
The new international route comes amid continued growth in India's aviation sector.
Scheduled domestic airlines carried 729.40 lakh passengers between January and May 2026, according to ANI.
In May alone, airlines transported 153.90 lakh passengers, marking a 9.49% increase from April.
IndiGo remained India's dominant domestic carrier in May with a 64.9% market share, followed by the Air India Group at 25.6% and Akasa Air at 5.8%. SpiceJet, Star Air, Fly91, Alliance Air and IndiaOne Air accounted for the remaining share.
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