Airport, varanasi, uttar pradesh · AI-written from Wikipedia, not independently verified

A Guide to Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi

Discover the key features and history of Uttar Pradesh's second-busiest aviation hub.

Official airport website

Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport — official website

VNS · VIBN · Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Airport name, codes and official link checked 26 Oct 2026. Confirm current flights and travel requirements with the airport and your airline.

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This guide was written with AI help by Indias.com. Check details such as timings, access and bookings with official sources before you travel.

Tags: Varanasi Airport · Uttar Pradesh Travel · Lal Bahadur Shastri · Indian Aviation · Babatpur

Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, identified by its codes VNS and VEBN, serves the city of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India. Located in Babatpur, approximately 26 kilometers northwest of the city center, it functions as a significant gateway for regional and international travel.

Originally known as Varanasi Airport, the facility was officially renamed in October 2005 to honor the second Prime Minister of India, Lal Bahadur Shastri. In recent years, it has emerged as one of the country's major airports, handling over 4 million passengers during the 2024-25 period.

Operations and Rankings

The airport currently stands as the 19th-busiest airport in India regarding passenger movement and holds the position of the second-busiest airport in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Its growing importance in the region was highlighted by its significant passenger volume in the most recent fiscal year.

Recognition for its service quality includes being awarded the best airport in the Asia-Pacific region for its size category (2 to 5 million passengers per annum) in 2020 by the Airports Council International. Notably, it is also the first airport in India to incorporate announcements in the Sanskrit language.

Terminal Infrastructure

The airport operates through an integrated terminal that accommodates both domestic and international flights. This facility covers a total floor area of 3,900 square meters, providing various services to manage traveler flow efficiently.

The terminal is equipped with 16 check-in counters utilizing common-user terminal equipment (CUTE). For international travelers, there are four immigration counters that also serve as emigration counters, alongside two baggage-claim belts and an upper-level seating area for aero-bridge gates.

Sources

Wikipedia — Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport