IndiGo launches direct Gaya-Bangkok flights, boosting Buddhist tourism and India’s international connectivity

IndiGo to operate non-stop flights between Gaya and Bangkok from October 26, offering a new direct route that aims to promote Buddhist tourism, strengthen city links, and bolster India’s growing air travel market.

IndiGo will begin non-stop flights between Gaya in Bihar and Bangkok on 26 October, adding a new option for travellers looking to reach Thailand without changing planes. The service will operate twice a week and gives passengers in Bihar a more direct route into Bangkok, one of the main entry points for leisure trips to Thailand.

The new connection is being presented as more than a convenience for holidaymakers. According to the announcement carried by The News Mill and a separate report by Sahi.com, the route is expected to strengthen links between two cities associated with Buddhist heritage, while also improving Bihar’s international access. For travellers, that could mean simpler planning for temple visits, longer stays in Thailand, and easier onward travel from Bangkok to beach destinations and other parts of the country.

The timing also comes as India’s air travel market continues to grow. Figures released by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and reported by the Financial Express show domestic airlines carried 153.90 lakh passengers in May 2026, up 9.49 per cent from April, while total traffic for January to May reached 729.40 lakh, a 1.91 per cent rise from the same period last year. IndiGo remained the dominant domestic carrier with a 64.9 per cent market share in May, which underlines the airline’s continued reach as it adds new international routes.

For passengers, the broader operating picture matters as much as the route itself. The same ministry data showed IndiGo posted the strongest on-time performance among major carriers at 82.8 per cent in May, while overall cancellation rates stayed low across the industry. Akasa Air recorded the best cancellation rate, but IndiGo’s strong punctuality may reassure travellers considering the new Gaya-Bangkok service, especially those connecting this trip with onward holiday plans in Thailand.