Air India has officially ceased its operations at Imphal International Airport as of June 15, 2025, concluding several decades of service connecting Manipur to major cities across India.
The move comes as part of a strategic operational realignment by the airline under the Tata Group. Going forward, air services on the Imphal route will be operated by Air India Express, the group’s wholly-owned low-cost carrier.
Air India’s exit marks the end of an era for the state’s civil aviation landscape, with the airline having played a key role in providing regular passenger connectivity for Imphal and the wider Northeast region.
The transition to Air India Express is part of a pre-planned decision by the airline’s management and is not related to any recent events or incidents. Passengers can expect continued services through the new carrier, ensuring that connectivity to and from Imphal remains uninterrupted.
Air India Express is expected to focus on providing affordable travel options as part of its low-cost business model while maintaining service standards under the Tata Group’s aviation portfolio.
Airport operations, flight schedules, and passenger handling at Imphal International Airport will continue as per the revised plan with Air India Express flights now taking over routes previously served by Air India.
Officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Civil Aviation Ministry have assured that the transition has been managed smoothly to avoid disruption for passengers.
With this development, Air India formally concludes its longstanding presence at Imphal—a move that reflects the ongoing restructuring within India’s aviation sector post the Tata Group’s acquisition of Air India.
