Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport — Varanasi, India

VNS serves Varanasi, one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities and a principal pilgrimage destination for Hindus who bathe in the Ganges along its riverside ghats. The airport takes its name from Lal Bahadur Shastri, India's second prime minister, who was born in the region and remains honored for his leadership during the 1960s. Located in Babatpur, roughly 25 kilometers from the city center, VNS gained international status as demand grew from Buddhist pilgrims visiting nearby Sarnath, the site of Buddha's first sermon, drawing direct flights to Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Myanmar alongside routes serving Gulf destinations popular with Indian workers abroad. Domestic connections link Varanasi to Delhi, Mumbai, and other major Indian cities. The terminal has been expanded in recent years to handle rising passenger volumes as religious tourism to the holy city continues to grow.