Lucknow to Ranchi Air India Flights

  About Lucknow

Lucknow, the land of Nawabs, is the capital of Uttar Pradesh. There is a certain royalty, elegance and regality in Lucknow that you will not find elsewhere. The people here are quite polite and talk with what you call 'Tehzeeb' in Urdu. Lucknow is famous for its food, handcrafted artefacts and more importantly, clothes. Lucknowi kurtas, lehengas and dupattas attract a lot of tourists in Lucknow. The Chikan embroidery on kurtas is a speciality in Lucknow. It's also known for its culture, arts, music and poetry. You must experience the warm hospitality that the city has to offer, at least once in your life. Lucknow, like most cities in the country, was also ruled by the Mughals. However, the Nawabs of Awadh took over in the 18th century.

The city has a lot of architectural wonders that you cannot miss. It is also quite popular for its variety of biryanis and kebabs. In fact, the city is like a paradise for everyone who is a fan of chicken or mutton biryanis and kebabs. The Lucknowi chaat is also quite popular and something that you must not miss when you visit Lucknow. Since the city is known for its elegant and Nawabi architecture, you'll find some of it incorporated in hotel rooms as well. You can find and book a hotel room in Lucknow according to your budget, and you'll experience the Lucknowi hospitality everywhere.

Hazratganj Market is like paradise for shopaholics, and if you are good at bargaining, you're going to need another suitcase to pack everything that you shopped for. The Bara Imambara and the Chota Imambara are two famous monuments in the city. It is also an important place of worship for Muslims, who also celebrate Muharram here. Lucknow also has a Marine Drive that is inspired by the Marine Drive that you have in Mumbai. It's adjacent to the Gomti River and is a beautiful and romantic stretch of road. It's also a famous place for couples to spend some romantic time with each other.

The Indira Gandhi Planetarium is yet another place to visit if you are in the city with your kids. Lucknow also has a bird sanctuary that you can visit with your family or alone. The Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary which is also called the Shahid Chandra Shekhar Azad Bird Sanctuary is a dense forest in Unnao. You will find approximately 250 species of birds in the sanctuary. The Qaisar Bagh Palace, which was constructed in the 1850s, is the perfect example of the exotic Mughal architecture and elegance. You'll find a lot of monuments and palaces that were made by the Mughals and the Nawabs of Lucknow. The city is developing at a swift pace and has also managed to maintain the charm and elegance of the Nawabs. Well, it is one of their specialities,

Best Time To Visit Lucknow

The summers can get quite hot in Lucknow as the temperature rises to 40 degree Celsius. It starts from April through July. It's not the best time to plan a visit to Lucknow during summer. The city experiences monsoon pretty late, from July through September. The weather is quite humid, and it might affect a lot of your sightseeing and shopping plans. Winter, however, is the best time to visit Lucknow, which is from October to March. The temperature drops to 7 degree Celsius at night and the evenings are just perfect to go boating or for a fancy dinner. You can even plan all of your sightseeing during the day during winter. Since it is the peak season, the hotel prices are also likely to spike up.

Places to Visit in Lucknow

The Bara Imambara and Chota Imambara are two popular monuments in Lucknow. Since the Muslims also value the Bara Imambara as a place of worship, they celebrate Muharram here on a very grand scale. Festivals in Lucknow are a grand affair. The Chota Imambara was built by Muhammad Ali Shah, the third Nawab of Awadh in 1838, for Shia Muslims. It is located on the west of the Bara Imambara.

The Lucknow Zoo is another place you can visit if you are an animal lover. The Zoo houses approximately 447 mammals, 348 birds, 57 reptiles, royal Bengal tigers, bears, Indian rhinoceros and a lot of wild animals, too. Your kids will surely love visiting the zoo. You have to pay a nominal fee to get into the zoo, though, which is not a lot.

British Residency is one of the famous historical landmarks that marks the first stage of the fall of British Raj. It had served as a refuge place for 3000 British inhabitants during the uprising of 1857, which was India's first revolt for Independence against the Britishers. The Indira Gandhi Planetarium is yet another place that your kids will love and you will, too, if you can't get enough of the stars, planets and the cosmic wonders. The planetarium also puts on shows that will transport you to another dimension.

Hazratganj is a popular shopping area for tourists and residents of Lucknow, too. You'll find the best kurtas, shararas and lehengas with beautiful Chikan embroidery. Of course, make sure that you bargain well. The street food at Hazratganj is also quite delicious. Qaisar Bagh Palace was constructed in the 1850s by Nawab Wajid Ali Shah and is a masterpiece that showcases the Mughal architecture. Do visit the palace when you are in Lucknow to experience the lavish lifestyles of the Nawabs.

Things to do in Lucknow

Monument hopping is not a widely used term, but we are hoping it catches on. You plan a day just to visit the monuments and end it with an authentic Lucknowi dinner. Take a tour of the Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary. You can walk around and spot birds you've never seen before. Tour guides also organise Heritage Walks in the city for tourists. You can either get in touch with a local tour guide through a travel agent, find one online or enquire at your hotel desk.

The mutton biryani, different types of kebabs, shawarma and a variety of chaats is what is popular in the city. Whether you are a vegetarian or crave for meat, Lucknow does not disappoint you at all, when it comes to food. But the place is quite the paradise for non-vegetarians. Catch the shows put up at the Indira Gandhi Planetarium. After the show, you can spend some time at the Gomti River to admire the sheer beauty of the city.

Go on a shopping spree at Hazratganj. This is one of the most popular areas to shop at in Lucknow. Make sure you pick the right shops and have good bargaining skills.

Food and Restaurants in Lucknow

There is a lot of hype over Lucknowi food and for a reason. You'll know why it is famous in the country once you try it for yourself. Moti Mahal Restaurant and Royal Cafe are two places in Hazratganj that you must eat at when you are in Lucknow. End your shopping spree or stop for a break at one of the two or both the eateries. They are popular for their North-Indian and Mughlai cuisines. You can also try out Oudhyana at Vivanta By Taj for authentic Mughlai food. Don't forget to try out the meat delicacies, kebabs and roomali rotis at this eatery. It won't burn a hole in your pocket at all. Have breakfast at Rati Lal's Khasta Kachori. The barras, pooris and the chickpea sabzi will satiate you and how!

Prakash Ki Kulfi is a popular dessert store in Lucknow that specialises in kulfi. Treat yourself to the best kulfi you'll ever have. While you are visiting Gomti Nagar, make sure you stop to have some basket chaat. It's a popular chaat in the city and one of a kind. You can't not have biryani in Lucknow. Have the mouth-smacking Awadhi biryani at Wahid's Biryani.

How to reach Lucknow

By Air

The nearest airport to Lucknow is the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport. Lucknow airport is about 14 km away from the city, but the flight connectivity is pretty good. Domestic flights from Lucknow are well-connected with cities like Mumbai, Chandigarh, Bangalore, Patna and other important cities. It's easy to reach Lucknow by air from any other city in India. Look for good flight deals and cheap flight tickets. If you are visiting the city during its offseason, the fares might even drop.

By Rail

The Lucknow Railway Station at Charbagh connects the city with all the other cities and is also the main station. You'll also find rickshaws or taxis from outside the station quite easily. The city has also introduced a metro, but it has only fewer stations within the city so far.

By Road

Buses from domestic routes like Varanasi, Allahabad, Kanpur, Agra, Delhi and other cities run quite frequently to Lucknow. The city is also connected to major highways like the NH25, NH28 and NH56.

  About Ranchi

Ranchi is not only the city of waterfalls but is also the summer capital of Jharkhand. It is easily one of the most beautiful cities and a popular tourist destination, too. It does complete justice to its title 'City of Waterfalls'. You will come across the most breathtaking views of the waterfalls, hills and lush greenery. The city is also popular for its golgappas that will be a treat to your taste buds. Since the city is a popular tourist destination for its natural beauty and cultural wonders, getting to Ranchi will not be that difficult for you. It's also a great spot for adventure lovers who love trekking.

Best Time to Visit Ranchi

November to February is considered to be the ideal months to visit Ranchi. The winter makes the weather pleasant and the nights cold. This is also the best time to go sightseeing or pursue any other activities. The temperature drops to 2 degree Celsius at nights and about 27 degree Celsius during the day. You won't have to worry a lot about sweating or getting drenched in the rain during this time. Don't miss out on the Makar Sankranti celebrations in the city during January. However, since it is peak season, getting cheap flight tickets to Ranchi or booking a hotel in Ranchi at cheaper rates might not be possible. You might come across decent flight deals to Ranchi though if you book way in advance. Since this season is also a peak season, you will see a lot of tourists in the city.

The city experiences summer from March to June and the temperature ranges from 18 to 36 degree Celsius. You can plan a trip or a trek to the hills and the waterfalls to beat the heat. It's not the most popular time to plan a visit to Ranchi, and you will see lesser tourists in the city. This will be a great time to travel to Ranchi if you don't like a lot of crowds and want to enjoy your solitude. In fact, you can also visit all of the tourist attractions without getting caught in the hustle and bustle of a lot of tourists.

July to September is when Ranchi experiences monsoon, and it only makes the city look spectacular. The lush greenery, the waterfalls, the hills look enchantingly beautiful. This is also the perfect time for you to go on a hike. You can even catch the Jagannathpur mela or the Rath mela that is organised in the city. This is a 10-day event and is organised on a grand scale. You can buy souvenirs from the different stalls, go on a food tasting tour at the different food stalls and you can also watch the performances put up by artists during the mela.

Places to Visit in Ranchi

Ranchi is a city of waterfalls, and you must definitely visit each and every one of them. The Panch Gagh falls, in the village of Khunti, is quite special. It has five waterfalls cascading through the steep hills, which is why it is called the Panch Gagh falls. Visiting this place will only make your trip ideal and memorable. The Patratu Valley, about 40 km away from Ranchi is another popular tourist destination in Ranchi. The drive along the Patratu valley ghat is magnificent, and you can soak in the scenic landscape on your drive. The valley has lush greenery on one side and the waters of the Patratu dam on the other. However, it is advisable to not travel to the valley after dark. The Johna Falls in Ranchi is also worth visiting. River Ganga and Raru merge to form these falls that fall from a height of about 45 meters. It is also called the Gautamdhara Falls, courtesy a Buddhist shrine that is near the falls. The Dasham Falls near the Taimara village in Ranchi is another destination that you should add to your itinerary. Sita Falls, Hudru falls, Hirni falls, Lodh falls, and Murga Mahadev falls are few other waterfalls that will leave you awestruck.

Apart from these, you can also visit the different lakes in the city. The Ranchi lake and Topchanchi lake are buzzing with tourists, especially during the peak season. The Tagore Hill is one of the most popular spots in the city and an apt place to enjoy some peace and quiet. The Pahari Mandir in Ranchi that is at an altitude of 2140 feet promises one of the most stunning views of the city. You will have to climb approximately 300 steps. The temple sees a lot of devotees climb all of those steps to offer their prayers during the Shravan season. The city is also popular for the Jagannath temple, which is a smaller replica of the one in Puri. It is a popular landmark in Ranchi. The Rock Garden in Ranchi offers you a blend of waterfalls, beautiful sculptures, art and a scenic beauty that makes for the best pictures. The garden is located on a hillock near the Kanke Dam. This is the perfect place for you to spend some quality time with your family amidst a beautiful view of the city.

Things to do in Ranchi

Ranchi is like paradise for everyone who loves adventures and nature. Pack your bathing suits, an extra pair of clothes, a picnic and head over to the Johna Falls. You will see River Ganga and River Raru combine and fall from a height of about 140 feet. You will have to climb about 700 steps, and this will prove to be quite the tedious hike but completely worth it. You can also try the jalebis and other delicacies from the local shops on your way or from the fair. You must also try the local food in Ranchi that promise you a gastronomic experience. Hit the local Golgappa stalls, kulfi parlours and do try the Litti Chokha, a popular dish in Ranchi. The Birsa Zoological Park is one of the most beautiful zoos in the country and is a delight to wildlife photographers and animal lovers. Taking a tour of the zoo will make your day!

Head over to Tagore Hill and plan a picnic with your family. Make sure you also stay till sunset or reach the hill right in time to combine your picnic with a breathtaking sunset. The Rock Gardens is a popular destination in Ranchi, and you will surely have a great time here. You can also visit the Kanke Dam, which is closer to the gardens. The whole vibe of the place will leave a smile on your face, and it also makes for a great place to take pictures. If you are feeling spiritual, you can head over to any one of the temples and offer your prayers or meditate over there. If you are in Ranchi during festival season, make sure you attend as much as you can. A morning trek to the Panch Gagh falls is yet another activity you must add to your trip itinerary.

Food and Restaurants in Ranchi

Ranchi is popular for its Golgappas and the unique chaats. You will find delicacies like Pua, Litti Chokha, Handia, Aloo Chokham Dubhni Roti and so on. You can even try the kebabs and the various tribal food in the city. Ajam Emba is a very popular place and unique, too. The restaurant serves authentic Adivasi food and delicacies that you might not get elsewhere. The restaurant has a very rustic decor and very different from other places. They also only use locally-produced raw ingredients in their food. The Waterfront Restaurant inside the Radisson Blu hotel combines a wonderful ambience with great food for its customers. While you are there, you can also head to The Great Kebab Factory. If you are attending any of the fairs in the city during your visit, you can also try the desserts from the local stalls.

How to reach Ranchi

By Air

The Birsa Munda Airport connects Ranchi to major domestic cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, Patna, Delhi and Bangalore. The flight connectivity from Ranchi is quite limited to a few cities in the country, but you will also find direct flights to Ranchi from certain cities. However, connecting flights from Delhi is a popular route to Ranchi by air. The nearest international airport is the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata. You can also change flights from the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. If you are travelling during the offseason, you might get great flight deals to Ranchi or even cheap flight tickets to Ranchi.

By Rail

Ranchi Junction is well-connected to other cities. You can pick a regular express train or superfast trains, too. Boarding a train or getting a train ticket from or to Ranchi is not very difficult. Travelling by train is also a very convenient way to reach the city.

By Road

There are frequent bus services that run from Jamshedpur, Patna and Kolkata to Ranchi. You can also take a taxi from nearby cities.

 About Air India

Air India was the first Indian airline that went by the name Tata Airways when it was launched. Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata launched it in 1932 in Karachi. The first flight was from Karachi to Mumbai and then to Chennai. The airline became a public limited company after World War II, under the name Air India. In 1948, a Lockheed Constellation L-749A called the Malabar Princess landed in London Heathrow from Bombay, which was the airline's first international flight. Air India got its first Boeing 707-420 and became the first Asian airline to enter the Jet Age. It launched services to New York in 1960. It took delivery of its first Boeing 747-200B in 1971 and named it Emperor Ashoka. It acquired its first Airbus A310-300 in 1986 and Boeing 747-400 in 1993 which was named Konark later. The airline also operated its first non-stop flight between New York and Delhi during this year. In 2007, Air India merged with Indian Airlines under Air India Limited. They acquired their first Boeing 777 that year. Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi is Air India's main hub. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai is the secondary hub. Chennai International Airport, Cochin International Airport, Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad and Trivandrum International Airport are its focus cities domestically.

Air India made Frankfurt Airport its international hub in 2009 for onward connections to the United States of America from India. Still, they had to shut it down because of high operating costs. In 2010, Air India decided to open a new hub for its international flights in Dubai. The airline's financial growth has been a topic of conversation for decades. For years, there were debates around the privatisation of Air India, but the Government of India refused to go ahead with it. When it did decide to hand over responsibility to private companies, no one came forward. Air India launched its low-cost airline, Air India Express, a couple of years back that majorly flew to countries in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Despite suffering losses in the market and going through a lot of ups and downs, the airline is functioning since it is the national carrier.

Air India has also gone through a lot of modifications with its brand logo and mascot. The Maharajah is the main mascot of the airline and was created by Bobby Kooka, the commercial director of Air India then and Umesh Rao, who was an artist with J Walter Thompson Limited in 1946. The mascot was given a makeover in 2015, and the airline decided to go with a younger version of Maharajah. Since India's colour scheme is red and white, the airline's logo also incorporates the same in its logo. The name of the airline is written in Hindi and English in red. The first logo of the airline was a centaur shooting an arrow in a circle which represented the wheel of Konark. However, the airline decided to give its logo a makeover in 2007, which was a flying swan with the wheel of Konark in it.

Fleet Size of Air India

Air India had started its operations with a de Havilland Puss Moth aircraft back in 1932. It inducted its first Boeing 707-420 later on and named it Gauri Shankar. It became the first Asian airline to add a jet aircraft in its fleet. Since it is the oldest airline in the country, it has both Boeing and Airbus aircraft in its fleet. It inducted its first Boeing 747-400 in 1993 and named it Konark. The airline inducted its first Airbus A320-200 aircraft in 1989 which now covers both domestic and international short hauls. The airline has a total of 70 Airbus aircraft including one A320 Classic, 4 A320ceo, 19 A319 aircraft, 20 A321, 5 A320ceo (Single Configuration), 27 A320neo and 3 A319 (Single Configuration). It has a total of 172 narrow-body aircraft and 49 wide-body aircraft. Air India uses one of the five Boeing 747-400s as VIP flights. Air India grounded its last Airbus A320 classic fleet in 2019, and the last flight flew from Delhi to Mumbai.

Air India had also sold five of its Boeing 777-200LR aircraft to Etihad Airways in 2013 to make up for its financial losses. The airline also had plans to introduce long flights to Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco but had to cancel, owing to weak demand and high fuel prices.

Baggage Allowance

Air India has certain baggage allowance rules and regulations that every passenger must follow. As per Air India's baggage allowance rules, you cannot carry cabin luggage that exceeds 8 kg, and your check-in luggage cannot exceed 20 kg. If you are flying internationally and if you are a premium club member, you will be allowed up to 40 kg of baggage. Even if you are ready to pay extra, your hand baggage cannot exceed 10 kg. First Class passengers are allowed a maximum of 40 kg baggage while Business Class passengers can only carry 35 kg. If you are travelling by the Economy Class, your baggage cannot exceed 25 kg. However, if you have an infant travelling with you, an extra 10 kg baggage allowance is offered by the airline. Make sure you inform the airline staff well in advance if your luggage is going to exceed the allowed weight. The airline has also made web check-in quite convenient for its passengers. You can either log in to the website and get it done, or you can get in touch with the call centre. The executives will help you get your web check-in done. It is best to get your web check-in done in advance, so you get to pick the right seat instead of settling for something chosen by the staff at the airport.

In-flight Services

Air India's First Class is royalty and luxury personified. The seats recline up to 180-degree, and the interiors are a sight for sore eyes. In addition to the ultra-comfortable seating, Air India's in-flight services are extremely efficient, and the best part is that the first-class cabin only seats 12 passengers. You can order your favourite cocktails and cuisines that are a treat to your taste buds. You can also do all of your duty-free shopping onboard. The first-class and business class cabins are also equipped with the Thales i3000 in-flight entertainment system. You can access five channels in Hindi and English. You can also browse through Air India's in-flight magazine called Shubh Yatra. First Class and Business Class passengers can also access the Maharaja Lounge. Business-class passengers are treated to plush seats and lip-smacking entrees that are accompanied with wine. You also get an exclusive check-in and lounge facility. Don't fret if you are not travelling by the premium class. Economy class passengers have complimentary refreshments and meals on all of their flights. You will also get complimentary liquor or wine on the international flights. The airline staff makes sure that passengers have a great time during their journey.

Popular Routes and Top Cities for Air India

Air India connects to various domestic and international routes daily. Since it is one of the oldest and the first airlines, it connects to more cities domestically and internationally. It connects to approximately 102 destinations like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and so on. It also flies to international destinations that cover the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Air India has frequent flights running to other destinations and makes sure you have had a great journey as well. Do make sure that you get your web check-in done well in advance.

Why Travel by Air India?

Air India is the national airline and has been in the airline industry since 1932. The airline makes sure that you have had a comfortable journey and seldom leaves any room for complaints. It has maintained its legacy of making sure that every passenger gets a royal treatment. It is also one of the very few airlines in the country that offers first-class flights to its passengers. You can check Air India's flight schedule and your flight status on their website. Even if you cannot access the website for some reason, you will certainly get updates and messages from the airline regarding the same. It also makes web check-in quite easy for its passengers. The staff is well-equipped to solve any grievances or requests put forth by passengers. You can book an Air India flight from the website. You can also get in touch with your travel agent and get them to book the ticket for you. It would be best if you experienced the royal treatment and luxury of being Air India's first-class passenger at least once in your life. The airline has come a long way and continues to give its passengers the best services and experience. The airline also makes sure that the flights run on time.

  About Lucknow Airport

Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport or better known as Lucknow Airport is an international airport that serves Lucknow, the state capital of Uttar Pradesh. The airport was previously called the Amausi Airport as it is located in the Amausi area of Lucknow. However, it was later renamed as Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport, after the fifth Prime Minister of India, by the Government of India. The main idea behind constructing the airport in 1986 was to expedite aid for government and corporate officials in the state. As the number of passengers and air traffic increased with time, the Airports Authority of India worked around upgrading the structure to accommodate passenger footfall. The airport received international stature in 2012 and witnesses airlines catering to international cities such as Dubai, Riyadh, Muscat, Jeddah, Bangkok and Sharjah. The Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport introduced the concept of private sectors to operate the airport to get better management and funds. The latest terminal has been constructed in such a way to accommodate about 2000 passengers at once.

About Lucknow Airport Terminals

Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport has two operational terminals while the third one is in the planning stage. T1 is the original airport that was built to complement the architecture of the Charbagh Railway Station. It is currently being used for international operations and flights. There are three departing gates and two arrival ones at the international terminal with two dedicated immigration counters. Terminal 2, on the other hand, has been allocated for domestic flights and activities. Terminal 2 has five boarding gates and witnesses high passenger traffic each year. Due to the heavy activities as well as air traffic, there has been some pressure on the aerodromes. Hence, an expansion plan to develop and enhance the terminal building has been proposed. The Minister of State for Civil Aviation has granted permission to expand the existing terminal building along with some allocated funds. The project management consultant would be focussed on catering to the extension of the terminal. The domestic terminal was inaugurated in 2012 by the then civil aviation minister Ajit Singh. The extension project's funds have been estimated at INR 880 crore.

About airport authority

The Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport is owned by the Airports Authority of India. Much recently though, they have passed the baton of operations to the Adani Group. All expansion and management operations are now being handled by the Adani Group. The airport is also undergoing extension plans with a proposition to build a new terminal, T3, by the Adani Group. Lucknow Airport received Best Airport under the Airports Authority of India (AAI) along with Rajasthan's Jodhpur Airport, in 2012. It has also been recognized as the second-best with respect to small airports that can accommodate about 5-10 million passengers in a year. The same was awarded by the Airports Council International, which is a global non-profit organization that works for airport operators.

Facilities at the Lucknow Airport

ATMs and currency exchange: The Lucknow airport has dedicated counters and desks for foreign exchange. Lucknow sees a lot of international tourists and travellers. Hence, it is essential to have forex counters to make the currency exchange done. Also, airports are known to have better rates compared to forex firms outside in the city. ATM kiosks are also available at regular intervals in the airport.

VIP lounge: VIP lounges and guestrooms are available at the Lucknow airport. The airport has witnessed infrastructural development with provisions for lounge and rooms for upscaled experiences. The VIP lounge in the airport has an excellent ambience and hospitality services. As long as you have first-class tickets or premium access to the lounge, you wouldn't be allowed to enter.

Information desk: The airport also has several information desks. The information desk holds all necessary details about the flights that are departing, arriving, schedules, airlines, connecting flights and more. You can further learn more about the layout of the airport too at the information desk. You can get a guide and map to the airport as well as details about the city of Lucknow.

Luggage storage: Lucknow airport's luggage services are also quite good. There are dedicated storage areas where one can keep their luggage while they wait to board their flights. There are locker facilities available that could be very beneficial to you if you want to safeguard some of your essentials. Not to mention, the airport also has baggage packing facilities available so you can safeguard your bags from theft and other concerns.

Child care room: A devoted child care centre is available at the Lucknow airport. The space is perfect for new mothers with infants. Since they require privacy for feeding and changing of the diapers, space has been reserved for mothers and their kids. The centre is also well-maintained and regularly sanitized to avoid health hazards. The place is kept hygienic by the airport officials.

Restaurants and cafes: Lucknow airport also has some good food establishments. There are famous joints such as KFC, Burger King, Subway, to name a few. The place also has some Mughlai-themed restaurants that glorify the city's flourishing culture. Although there are no roasteries available at the airport, they do have cafes and coffeehouses with quick bites and refreshments.

Medical aid: The airport also has provisions for medical aid. To ensure that medical emergencies are treated immediately, the airport has medical services stationed at proper intervals. Plus, they also have ambulances, in case the patient needs to be taken to the hospital for better services. You can also ask for medical kits at the information desk or the security.

WiFi: The Lucknow airport has WiFi services available as well. As long as you have your Indian phone numbers, you can get access to the WiFi services. The services of WiFi can be availed for approximately 45 minutes after which you will have to pay for it. You can get premium paid packs of WiFi connection from the information desk.

Entertainment centre: Interestingly, the airport has an entertainment centre with a big TV too. Although the channels cannot be changed as it is for all the public, there are Indian TV shows and movies that play on the gigantic TV at all times. You can keep your kids engaged and distracted, so they do not cause a ruckus at the airport.

Local calls facilities: In case you have network issues or do not have enough balance in your mobile phone, you can make use of the free phone that is available at the airport. You can use to this connect with families or people who will be picking you up from the airport. It only caters to local calls so you will not be able to make STD or ISD calls from the phone.

Top airlines flying from the Lucknow Airport

The Lucknow Airport lacks impeccable connection as fewer domestic and international airlines operate from the city. Very few flights even connect the domestic cities from Lucknow airport. Major Indian metropolitan cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune and Ahmedabad, to name a few. Lucknow airport does have better connectivity with cities of North India thanks to its geographical location. However, only fewer domestic airlines operate from the city, considering how it is one of the big cities in India. Domestic airlines such as Air India, Alliance Air, GoAir, Air India Express, IndiGo and Vistara, operate from the Lucknow airport. The airport's connectivity with Southern cities is fewer and only caters to Bangalore, Chennai, Goa and Hyderabad. For other cities, connecting flights would be required.

In terms of international airlines, the city again only caters to a handful of airlines. Airlines only catering to cities such as Dubai, Riyadh, Jeddah, Muscat and Bangkok. Airlines such as flydubai, Flynas, Oman Air, Saudia and Thai Smile, are the few that operate from Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport. For better international airlines connection, people often fly to Delhi from Lucknow airport. Cities such as Mumbai and Bangalore are also considered to connect to a wider range of international airlines.

How to reach Lucknow Airport

The Lucknow Airport is brilliantly connected with the Lucknow Metro line. The best way to reach the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport. There is a dedicated station called the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport metro station which falls on the Red Line stretch. It further connects to the Munshi Pulia metro station. The metro project is known to be the most expensive mode of the transport system in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Depending on how close you are to any of the stations on the Munshi Pulia and Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport stretch, the duration changes accordingly. However, the long stretch takes about 50 minutes to reach. The fare is also quite decent with the maximum fee going up to INR 60. Often travellers use the metro to reach Lucknow airport as it is the best and most convenient way to reach in the city.

Another way to reach Lucknow airport is to hail a taxi or rental. There are many prepaid taxi counters available at the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport. All three of the terminals have taxi counters from which you can book your ride. There are no direct buses available from the city to the airport. Although reaching the Lucknow airport by vehicle will take some time, it is convenient as you can rest assured about the luggage's safety.

  About Ranchi Airport

Birsa Munda Airport or popularly known as Ranchi airport, is the primary airport that serves the city of Ranchi, which is the state capital of Jharkhand. The airport has been named after the freedom fighter Birsa Munda, who strived for the freedom of tribal living in the state of Jharkhand. Belonging to the Munda tribe, he spearheaded the religious Millenarian movement in the late 19th century. He has been recognised for his extensive contribution to the history of Jharkhand. Currently, Birsa Munda Airport is being managed by the Airports Authority of India. It is situated in Hindoo, which is approximately 5 km from the main city. Hence, in terms of connectivity, it is easy to reach Birsa Munda Airport. The airport is sprawled across an area of 1568 acres of land. The airport has a capacity to accommodate approximately 2.4 million passengers in a year. Birsa Munda Airport is also recognised as the 25th busiest airport in the country. Expansions plans are to help the airport accommodate more flights and passenger traffic.

About Ranchi Airport Terminal

Birsa Munda Airport currently has one integrated passenger terminal that caters to all domestic flight operations. The airport only has domestic flights and airlines function from its premise. The new passenger terminal was built in 2013 and inaugurated by Ajit Singh, the then civil aviation minister. The new integrated terminal building is spread across 19,600 square metres. It was constructed at a whopping cost of INR 1.38 billion. The upgraded building accommodates two aero-bridges and six escalators with equipment imported from countries such as Singapore, China and Germany. The new terminal's facilities have enabled a smooth transit for passengers travelling to Ranchi. Thanks to the expansion and installation of the new terminal building, Birsa Munda Airport's capacity to accommodate passengers has increased to 500 at a time. Further, to attract more domestic airlines to Birsa Munda Airport, the airport reduced the tax on aviation turbine fuel from 20 per cent to 4 per cent. Adding to the attractive offers, the airport also announced that they would allow free overnight parking of aircraft in the vicinity free-of-charge. Plans to expand the runway are currently in talks.

About airport authority

Birsa Munda Airport is owned and operated by the Airports Authority of India. The statutory body has been responsible for conducting management operations of the airport. It works under the Ministry of Civil Aviation which is part of the Government of India. Since the genesis of the airport, AAI has been working on constantly upgrading and expanding the facility.

In 2019, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) announced that they would be working on expanding the Birsa Munda Airport further to accommodate newer facilities. They are rooting to add six parking bays to the airport to allow more flights to park. The main idea behind the expansion of the parking bays is to enable flight operations of about 11 aircraft at a time. Due to the increase in the air traffic witnessed by Ranchi Airport in the last four years, the Airports Authority of India has proposed the upgradation plan. Along with this, the airport also plans to utilise two aerobridges to enable passengers to board the aircraft from the terminal's departure area directly.

As of 2020, Birsa Munda Airport has the space to accommodate three Airbus A320 and two 19-seater ATRs. The new apron is set to accommodate five Airbus aircraft and one ATR plane at one moment. The airport would expand to accommodate about eight Airbus and three ATR plans in total to be parked at a time. A senior official of the Ranchi Airport has further stated that the new apron would be able to accommodate operations of 80 flights in a day.

Facilities at the Ranchi Airport

Baggage – Baggage facilities such as wrapping services, free trolleys and porter systems are available at the Ranchi Airport.

Food court – At the departure section of the airport, a food court has been installed with various small establishments and food joints. One can pass their time by availing the food services that the food joints provide.

ATMs – In case of last-minute cash withdrawals, the airport has enabled ATM services too. There are kiosks available at the departure as well as arrival section of the airport.

Smoking Zones – There are dedicated rooms for smoking. Passengers are not allowed to smoke in public lounge spaces as it would cause discomfort to fellow passengers. The smoking zones are kept clean and are perfectly sanitised.

Medical services – The airport has reserved some medical services for passengers. There are first aid kits that are available across the airport's terminal. You can visit the information desk to get more details on their medical assistance. Simultaneously, you can also avail the services of the pharmacies that are present at the airport. Any last-minute medical purchases can be made at the airport. Or, if you are feeling under the weather, ahead of the flight, you can visit the pharmacies. The staff are quite friendly and would help you through your purchase.

Special assistance – You will need to request for special assistance services from your airlines before travelling to the airport. They do have facilities to help the elderly and dedicate staff to take passengers through the procedures. If need be, the staff will escort the passenger to the aircraft as well. Special assistance services are usually reserved for passengers who fall under certain categories such as senior citizens, expecting mothers, disabled individuals, children travelling alone and more. Depending on the situation, the airport allows for special assistance services.

Duty-free shops – Despite offering fewer facilities, Ranchi Airport does have a duty-free shop that is cheap and affordable. You can find some of the interesting artefacts and items that reflect the cultural heritage of Ranchi and Jharkhand at these shops. From ethnic jewellery to intricate showpieces, you will find some interesting purchases at the airport's duty-free shops.

Top airlines flying from the Ranchi Airport

There are a handful of domestic airlines that operate from Birsa Munda Airport. Despite catering to international airlines, the airport doesn't witness many flights flying out of the country or operating from the city's airport. Much of the connectivity within India from Ranchi Airport is also minimal. Presently, airlines that operate from Birsa Munda Airport include AirAsia India, Alliance Air, GoAir, Vistara and IndiGo. These airlines mostly cater to Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Patna, Hyderabad, Indore, Raipur, Jharsuguda and Bhubaneswar. The airport is striving to make some massive upgradations and expansions to attract more flight activities. Although there are no international activities that take place from Birsa Munda Airport, the management is trying to get hold of some airlines that would cater to international cities that are in the proximity of the country. The aircraft movement has seen a significant rise as in 2020 as it has increased to 19,137, which is quite good considering how the airport is quite limited with its flight and airlines options.

How to reach Ranchi Airport

Birsa Munda Airport is about 7 km away from the city centre. Hence, the best way to reach Birsa Munda Airport is by prepaid taxis. The facilities are available within the city of Ranchi. In fact, there are bus services also available in the city that would reach you to Birsa Munda Airport. However, hailing a taxi cab is considered to be the best way to reach Ranchi Airport. Not to mention how airport shuttle services can also be availed at the hotel. You will need to ask them ahead of the journey if there are any such airport shuttle services that the hotel provides. Further, you can also approach a travel agent to book a ride for you so you can travel within Ranchi as well as reach Birsa Munda Airport.

About Ranchi

Ranchi is the capital of the state of Jharkhand and is located in the centre of the state. It became the centre of the Jharkhand movement which announced or rather fought for a separate state that would be reserved to the tribal regions of South Bihar, western West Bengal, northern Orissa and eastern Chattisgarh. A portion of Bihar's Chota Nagpur and Santhal Parganas was divided to form the state of Jharkhand. Ranchi's proximity to the Tropic of Cancer gives it a tropical climate. While Hindi is the official language of the city, there are many tribes that reside in the area, making diverse dialects such as Kurmali and Khortha, just as famous. Nagpuri, Mundari are also spoken. Over the years, it has turned into a major industrial city in Eastern India with an abundance of mineral-based industries. Ranchi has also managed to attract a lot of tourism over the years with the installation and upgradation of its airport, Birsa Munda Airport. Many tourists have started visiting the city to learn more about their tribal culture and various other dimensions of touristy activities that can or rather should be explored in the city.