CHHATARPUR, MADHYA PRADESH — In an ironic turn of events, Khajuraho Airport in Madhya Pradesh has once again been crowned India's best airport in customer satisfaction. However, the prestigious national accolade has triggered widespread skepticism among local residents and tourism stakeholders, who are asking a basic question: how can a ghost airport with zero operational commercial flights win top honors?
According to the latest National Service and Customer Satisfaction Index Survey (2026) released by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), Khajuraho Airport secured the number-one spot nationwide. Meanwhile, Bhopal’s Raja Bhoj Airport secured the third position. This marks the second consecutive win for Khajuraho, which previously clinched the top rank in December 2025.
Despite the celebratory official announcement, ground reality in the historic UNESCO World Heritage town tells a vastly different story. For the months of July and August, not a single commercial airline is operating out of Khajuraho. Key regional connections—including direct routes to Delhi and Varanasi—have been completely suspended, leaving the modern terminal largely deserted.
Local Backlash and Business Frustration
The disparity between official recognitions and daily utility has fueled frustration among Chhatarpur residents and local business operators, many of whom rely heavily on heritage tourism.
"Khajuraho Airport ranked number one in 2025, and while we are happy to hear it achieved the feat again, the reality is disheartening," said Rajeev Shukla, a local hotel owner. "There is not a single flight operating from here right now, and there were none last month either. This disconnect is something our elected leaders and civil aviation officials need to address urgently."
Local business communities contend that award-winning infrastructure serves little purpose if travelers and tourists cannot book flights to reach the region’s world-famous Chandela-era temple complex.
Officials Clarify Survey Timeline
Addressing the growing public criticism, Khajuraho Airport Director Santosh Singh defended the staff's dedication while clarifying the methodology behind the survey results.
"Securing the top position once again is a testament to the hard work of our airport personnel and the faith of passengers," Singh said. "Khajuraho earned this score based on core parameters including passenger amenities, cleanliness, security measures, and service quality."
To address concerns regarding the current lack of air traffic, Singh explained that the survey reflects passenger feedback gathered when flight operations were fully active.
"The survey data was collected during active operational periods; only the evaluation results were announced recently," Singh added. "Currently, essential maintenance and development work is underway at the airport, which requires a temporary two-month suspension of flight operations. Scheduled commercial services are expected to resume around October."
As airport authorities work toward completing runway and facility upgrades, locals remain watchful, hoping the October schedule will finally align the airport's high customer service scores with active flight schedules.
