No Flights, Yet India's 'No. 1 Airport'? Khajuraho Tops AAI Customer Satisfaction Rankings
In a unusual development in India's aviation sector, Khajuraho Airport in Madhya Pradesh has been ranked the top airport in the country in the Airports Authority of India’s (AAI) latest Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI)—despite operating zero commercial flights during July and August.
In a unusual development in India's aviation sector, Khajuraho Airport in Madhya Pradesh has been ranked the top airport in the country in the Airports Authority of India’s (AAI) latest Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI)-despite operating zero commercial flights during July and August.
The biannual survey, conducted by independent third-party agencies, evaluates airports across 33 parameters including cleanliness, Wi-Fi availability, food options, parking, ground transport, and staff behavior. Despite having no active passenger operations during the monsoon period, Khajuraho secured the top spot among eligible facilities, outperforming significantly larger and busier regional hubs across the country. AAHL's Navi Mumbai and Guwahati Airports Named Among Prix Versailles' World's Most Beautiful Airports 2026.
Prior to the seasonal suspension, Khajuraho Airport operated just two commercial routes connecting the heritage town with Delhi and Varanasi. Operations on both routes were paused on July 1. Airport Director Santosh Singh stated that the suspension is temporary and regular flight operations to Delhi and Varanasi are expected to resume in October.
The result has sparked discussions within the aviation sector regarding the survey's methodology. Industry analysts noted that airports with intermittent or seasonal traffic often score higher in passenger feedback surveys, as operational stress on infrastructure and terminal personnel is significantly reduced compared to high-volume transit hubs. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai Named Among World’s Top 10 Airports for 3rd Consecutive Year.
Locals and regional travelers expressed mixed reactions to the ranking. While some pointed out the irony of a flightless airport achieving the top customer satisfaction rank, community members welcomed the recognition for the airport's well-maintained facilities and hospitable staff. Meanwhile, Bhopal’s Raja Bhoj Airport ranked third overall in the same survey cycle.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 28, 2026 04:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).