About Agra Airport (AGR): Your Ultimate Travel Guide For 2026

The origin of Agra Airport dates back to the Second World War period. During World War II, the airfield functioned as Royal Air Force Station Agra while also operating as the United States Army Air Forces Agra Air Depot.

The airfield supported military operations in the Burma–China theatre and formed part of “The Hump” logistics operations which involved air supply routes across the eastern Himalayan region. Agra served as a technical stopover on the Karachi–Kunming air route which connected South Asia with China during wartime operations. The airfield and its role are referenced in the aviation literature Fate Is the Hunter written by Ernest Gann.

After Indian independence, the airfield was renamed Air Force Station Agra on 15 August 1947. Initially, the base operated under the Western Air Command and later shifted to the Central Air Command in 1971.

Air Force Station Agra holds major military importance and is counted among the largest Indian Air Force bases in India. The base houses the Indian Air Force’s first in-flight refuelling squadron. Civil aviation operations have continued alongside military operations since 1947 without separation of the airfield.

A proposal exists to rename the airport after Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya. This proposal remains under consideration and has not been implemented.

Agra Airport operates two runways that support both defence aviation and civil aviation requirements. The primary runway is designated as Runway 05/23 and has a length of 2,743.2 metres while maintaining a width of 45 metres.

Secondary runway is designated as Runway 12/30 and measures 1,817.83 metres in length while maintaining a width of 45 metres. Both runways support varied aircraft operations depending on operational requirements.

The airport is equipped with Instrument Landing System capability compliant with CAT-II standards which allows aircraft operations during fog and low-visibility conditions common in northern India during winter.

The airside infrastructure supports heavy military aircraft movements and also provides planned compatibility for Airbus A321 aircraft under civil aviation expansion. The airfield maintains strategic capability for defence operations while supporting scheduled domestic passenger flights to Agra.

Agra Airport operates one civil domestic terminal for passenger services while a new civil terminal is planned under the expansion programme. The existing terminal covers an area ranging between approximately 4,395 square metres and 4,870 square meters.

The terminal is designed to handle a peak capacity of 250 arriving passengers and departing passengers during peak periods. Passenger circulation within the terminal follows controlled movement due to the airport’s dual-use nature.

Terminal infrastructure contain:

• 5 check-in counters
• 2 security screening booths
• 3 immigration counters planned for future international readiness
• 4 customs counters planned for future international readiness

Civil aviation passengers access the terminal through the Air Force Arjun Nagar Gate. Flight information is displayed through digital screens and supported by real-time flight tracking systems.

Future expansion of Agra Airport has received formal approval. The foundation stone for the expansion project was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October 2024 and the approved budget stands at ₹123 crore.

Land acquisition for expansion covers 92.5 acres across Abhaypura, Balhera and Dhanauli. The proposed new terminal will cover approximately 30,000 square meters and include 9 aircraft bays.

Expansion plans include runway extension and an international-category upgrade while aircraft handling capability will be expanded to support Airbus A321 aircraft. Construction is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2025 and completion is expected by the end of 2027 or the first half of 2028.

IndiGo, SpiceJet and Air India are some of the airlines operating scheduled civil flights from Agra Airport. All current services operate as domestic scheduled flights.

Direct Cheap flight connectivity from Agra Airport are:

• Ahmedabad
• Bengaluru
• Mumbai
• Hyderabad
• Lucknow
• Bhopal

Flight operations on these routes are driven by tourism-linked demand and short-haul domestic travel patterns. The airport also plays a role in reducing passenger load at larger airports in Uttar Pradesh by dispersing regional air traffic.

Agra Airport functions as a point-to-point domestic airport and does not handle international passenger flights.

Agra Airport is located on the eastern side of Agra city. The distance from the city centre ranges between approximately 4.9 kilometres and 6 kilometres depending on the route used.

Average travel time between the airport and the city centre ranges between 10 and 20 minutes by road under normal traffic conditions.

Ground transport options available include:

• App-based cab services such as Ola and Uber
• Local taxi services
• Auto-rickshaws

Auto-rickshaw fares generally remain within ₹300 to ₹400 depending on destination and traffic conditions. The Taj Mahal is located at a distance of approximately 8 to 9 kilometres from the airport.

Agra Airport provides basic passenger facilities focused on handling tourism-driven traffic and seasonal passenger volumes. Medical support is available through first-aid facilities inside the terminal.

Assistance is provided to senior citizens and passengers with disabilities through airport ground staff. Lost and Found services are managed through the Terminal Manager’s Office with support from on-site personnel.

A Tourist Information Centre operates within the terminal and provides basic city and travel-related guidance. Retail outlets within the terminal focus on regional products and include:

• Handicrafts
• Handloom products
• Souvenirs

Food and beverage services are available through cafes and snack counters. Additional facilities include child care rooms and ATMs along with baggage handling support. Passenger congestion increases during festive travel periods and results in higher terminal crowd density.

Agra Airport benefits from proximity to major tourist locations which support its tourism gateway role.

Nearby attractions include:

• Taj Mahal at approximately 8.5 kilometres with an average travel time of around 15 minutes
• Agra Fort at approximately 7 kilometres
• Mehtab Bagh at approximately 20 kilometres with an average travel time of around 25 minutes
• Fatehpur Sikri at approximately 34 kilometres with an average travel time of about 1 hour

• ITC Mughal
• Trident Agra
• Radisson Hotel Agra
• Holiday Inn Agra
• Fairfield by Marriott
• Clarks Inn properties