Lucknow Airport Guide 2025: Terminals, Facilities, and Travel Tips

Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (CCSIA) is an international airport serving the people of Lucknow and nearby cities. The IATA code is LKO, which is also its airport code. Located 14 km from the city centre, inside Amausi, and before Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport, it was called Amausi Airport. LKO was founded in 1986 and is operated by the Adani Group and the Airport Authority of India, which formed a public-private consortium known as Lucknow International Airport Limited (LIAL). Around 120 to 130 daily flights are handled by Lucknow International Airport, including more than 20 flights that fly to international destinations. If you are travelling or planning a journey and LKO is a part of your travel, then you must know some key things about this airport, which comprehensively delivers all the key details to you.

Terminal Overview

The Lucknow Airport has three working runways where all its domestic and international flight operations are being done. All the terminals consist of facilities to cater to national and international passengers and are open 24 hours a day. Below, you can find some more details about these three terminals at Lucknow airport that can give you an overview. You can read about these terminals, which you might find interesting to learn.

Terminal 1

Terminal 1 was developed in 1986 and only serves government and private officials, but later, it was expanded and used for international flights only when Terminal 2 was opened. The terminal has two arrival and three departure gates with all the essential airport services and amenities that travellers need, such as check-in counters, help desks, baggage, and other facilities. According to the second phase of the expansion plan of Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (CCSIA), it will soon be demolished, and Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 will be linked for better, smoother, and faster services.

Terminal 2

Terminal 2 handled international travel demands, but it was later decided to be used only for domestic purposes. Terminal 2 has recently undergone redevelopment and is Renowned for its design resembling the folded wings of a paper plane, where the 200m long wing-like cantilevers on either side of the building catch the eye. It has an area of 17,000 m2 and can handle up to 1200 passengers/hour, but later, its capacity was increased by 200 passengers per hour when the airport reportedly handled over its capacity. The Adani Group had renovated the terminal in 2022, which they took over in 2020. The terminal building will soon be transformed for airport administrative purposes.

Terminal 3

It is currently the newest terminal, which was built in 2018. It is the third passenger terminal with an area of 111,362 m2, and it is connected with the other two terminals (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2). Terminal 3 has completed its third phase and has the capacity to hold more than 13 million passengers yearly. A cost of ₹1,383 crore was used in the development of this terminal and operating domestic and international flight services for up to 4000 passengers through its 75 check-in counters (60 domestic and 15 international), six aerobridges, and other amenities. The terminal building has 30 lifts and five escalators for smooth transitioning between other terminal buildings and floors. Terminal 3 also has a dedicated multi-story parking facility, which can hold up to 1500 vehicles at a time.

See also: Mumbai Airport Guide

Airlines Operating from Each Terminal

Several airlines have been serving at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (CCSIA), which offers international and domestic flight services. Here you can find the list of airlines.

• AirAsia
• Air India
• Air India Express
• Akasa Air
• FlyBig
• Flydubai
• Flynas
• IndiGo
• Oman Air
• SalamAir
• Saudia
• Star Air
• Thai AirAsia

Transportation to and from Lucknow Airport

Various transportation options are available at the Mumbai airport, including prepaid taxi and cab services, local or app-based, metro, autorickshaws, public and private buses, railways, and more. It is up to you which transportation method you want to use and which method you find convenient for you. These are some of the most popular ones.

Metro

• CCS Metro station is located within 100 meters of the Terminal of Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (LKO).
• The Amausi metro station is on the Red Line, connecting the airport to the other parts of the city. 
• To access the metro stations, passengers can easily reach Terminal 2 and enter the CCS Metro Station, and from 1 km near the airport, the Amausi Metro Station is located.
• The nearest popular railway station, which is approximately 7 km away from the airport, lies on the Lucknow - Kanpur Suburban Railway Line and is Amausi railway station.

See also: Delhi Airport Guide

Taxi & Cab Services

• Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (LKO) also has a taxi stand outside the terminal gate from where travellers can book them to go to their destinations.
• A prepaid taxi is available from the arrival zone.
• App-based cab services such as Ola/Uber, Rapido, and more are also available at the passengers' convenience.

Airport Shuttle & Buses

• You can find the nearest Bus Stand, which is located approximately 1 km from Lucknow airport, and the famous Bus Stand is Charbagh, which is around 9 km away.
• The Lucknow City Transport Services offers AC and non-AC bus services to/from the airport to other parts of the city.
• If you find a free or paid airport shuttle service, then you can use it as well.

Baggage Services & Lost and Found

• Kindly comply with your airline's baggage guidelines since different airlines have different rules and regulations for luggage.
• Numerous baggage services can be found at all the terminals of Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (LKO), including baggage claim and drop-off sections, the Lost and Found department, baggage wrapping, and more.
• For any concerns about lost and found, you can reach the counter office at terminal 3 of Lucknow airport and report your lost items at the airport, but if you have to contact the airline, it is lost on the plane. Contact the department during working hours only, which is between 09:30 AM and 6 PM (Monday to Saturday), located at Terminal 3, Domestic Departures – Near Gate Number 3.
• To claim your lost baggage or item, you have to go through the claim process, where you first contact the department and submit the details. Once the Lost and Found team verifies, you can claim them. 
• Documents may be required at the airport.
  • Copy of Boarding Pass / Ticket number.
  • A letter signed by the owner with accurate lost item details.
  • Government-authorised photo identity cards, such as Passport / Driving License / Aadhaar Card / Voter Card.

Check-in and Security Procedures

Flight check-in procedure at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (LKO)

• Thanks to the friendly staff, flight check-in for any traveller is easy at Lucknow Airport.

• Kindly follow the airport signage to reach the check-in counters and KIOSKs.
• Once you have reached the airport, you can start your flight check-in process by following the KIOSK's screen instructions or by providing your travel documents to the check-in agent.
• Once your verification is completed by the agent and the KIOSKs, if you have any preferences for seats or meals, you can make its and pay the fare difference.
• Lastly, receive the boarding pass and proceed to the security screenings at the airport.

Security Procedures at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (LKO)

• Once the check-in is done, you have to go to the security checking area where your luggage is, and you will undergo an examination.

• Cooperate with the security staff, put all your belongings into the tray given to you, and keep your luggage in the scanner machine.
• Once your physical screening and luggage examination are done, take your belongings and proceed further to the terminal premises to enjoy the benefits of airport facilities and amenities.

Airport Facilities and Amenities

The Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (LKO) is always concerned with the comfort of travellers, whether they are travelling domestically or internationally. CCSIA offers a package of facilities and amenities so that travellers can have a smooth experience, such as fast Airport Check-in, Baby Care, Pharmacy, ticketing, flight-related services, car rentals, etc. Here are the most popular ones.

Lounges

• Adani Lounges and Adani International Lounge are located at Terminal 3 of the Lucknow Airport.
• At these lounges, you can easily enjoy the ambience, personal space, and amenities where you can relax before the flight takes off.
• Plenty of services are present in these airport lounges, including wifi, a comfy seating area, and appetising food and beverages.
• Special privileges are also available for selected travellers holding business or first-class tickets or who are members of any exclusive credit card program.
• Lounges are open for service 24 hours.

Free wifi and Charging Stations

• Free wifi is available throughout the terminal, allowing one to stay connected with the internet services and loved ones for up to 30 minutes at once.
• Any passenger holding an Indian SIM card or phone number can easily go through the wifi registration process and connect their devices to the wifi.
• International travellers without a SIM or international roaming can reach out to the information desk at the airport and ask for the wifi coupon by providing valid ID documents. Then, they can select #LKO_FreeWi-Fi and use the wifi coupon code on the login page to start surfing the internet.
• Process:
  • Select #LKO_FreeWi-Fi
  • Enter your mobile number on the wifi login page.
  • Verify through a One-Time-Password (OTP)
  • Your free wifi plan will be active.
• Near the passenger seating area at the Boarding gates, there are several charging points provided so that you don't run out of your smartphone, laptop, and other devices' batteries during the whole journey.

Shopping and Duty-Free Stores

• Several duty-free stores, such as luxury boutiques, fragrance shops, convenience stores, and others, are located at Terminal 3 of the Lucknow airport.
• Most shops have fixed timings between early morning and late evening that align with the flight schedules.
• All shops accept both cash and online transactions made using credit cards and digital wallets.
• Some of the stores are Bon Voyage, Chappan Bhog, Da Milano & Rosso Brunello, Hamleys, House of Elixir, and more.

Dining Options

• There are numerous food and beverage outlets at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (LKO), and most of them are at Terminal 3.
• Get authentic Indian cuisine and hospitality at the airport straight from the ancient culinary recipes.
• If you crave fast food, then the top Fast food outlets are Subway, Masala Kitchen, and Dastarkhwan. For course meals, you can go to Masala Kitchen, Mitti Cafe, and Dastarkhwan.
• You can go to Cafeccino, Chai Point, Coco Cafe, Mitti Cafe, Nescafe, and Third Wave Coffee for coffee, tea, and beverages. There is a Mithai Box for desserts and sweets and The Irish House for alcoholic beverages.

Special Services for International Travellers

All international travellers arriving at the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (LKO) can find numerous services specially designed to help them get things done smoothly. These special services include:-

Visa on Arrival

• Travellers may follow the Arrival signage and proceed to the Arrival Immigration Hall for immigration clearance.
• Travellers must show their Visa and Passport once they reach the Immigration Hall.
• Baggage clearances are processed through two channels, the Green Channel (where one doesn't have to declare) and the Red Channel (where one has to declare goods)

Currency Exchange

• Numerous currency exchange counters are available at Lucknow Airport for international travellers who want to exchange their currency.
• These are placed at Terminal 3, near the Domestic Check-in Hall and Arrival Exit.
• Different currencies can be exchanged at foreign exchange counters, but there will be a fee that may change daily as per market conversion rates.

Medical Facilities

• Travellers must ensure that they adhere to the safety and security standards and comply with the health protocols prescribed by the Lucknow government bodies.
• The Airport Health Organisation (APHO) provides medical and health services; passengers must contact the nearest APHO health centre at the airport.
• Advanced life support ambulances are available 24/7.
• Sanitisers are placed strategically at the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (LKO).

Tips for a Smooth Experience at Lucknow Airport

To have a hassle-free time at the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow, it is advisable to learn about airport processes like security screening, boarding, flight check-in (also learn about Web Check-in vs Airport Check-in), etc. Here are some tips for you to have a smooth experience at Lucknow Airport.

• Plan your journey and be there at least 2 hours prior to the domestic flights and 3 hours before the international departures.
• Check your terminal ahead of time because the airport possesses several terminals (Terminal 1 - international, Terminal 2 - domestic and the new integrated Terminal 3 - both international and domestic).
• To travel easily, you can use the Lucknow Metro (Red Line) or hire a prepaid taxi at the counter.
• Parking is close to all terminals if you are travelling by car.
• In the airport, you can use the free 30-minute wifi and get updated through flight information display screens or airline applications.
• The food court easily offers vegetarian food choices and snacks.
• Make sure to pack your baggage as per the airline and security regulations- liquid items in 100ml bottles and the absence of sharp items. You may bring your own food as long as it is well-packed.
• In case you need any help, staff assistance, wheelchairs, or priority services can be requested.
• There are lounges to pass the time when a flight is delayed, and duty-free stores in the international terminal are excellent for doing some last-minute shopping.
• The Lost & Found counter is located at Gate 3, Terminal 3, in the event of misplaced items.
• Have your ID, boarding pass, and documents ready to be processed faster.

Future Expansion Plans for Lucknow Airport

The airport authorities have planned big and impactful future expansions for the Lucknow airport. Recently, it has been heard that the runway and parking bay will soon undergo enhancements so that more fleets can be accommodated. As per the LKO spokesperson, "expansion aims to enhance the airport's infrastructure and ensure that it is well-equipped to handle the increasing number of flights, particularly international services, as well as larger, more advanced aircraft. The project will not only improve operational efficiency but also support the growing demand for air travel in the region," Here are some major expansions that will soon undergo:

• The Adani Group will invest Rs 10,700 crore for the expansion project to increase its passenger capacity from 4 million passengers per annum (MPPA) to 39 MPPA.
• Lucknow International Airport Limited (LIAL) now proposes the expansion of CCSIA within an area of 457.1 hectares.
• A new terminal (Terminal 4) will be created as per the expansion plan, along with three parallel taxiways, support services, and utilities.

Conclusion

Finally, Lucknow airport fulfils the demands of passengers through its services and amenities, so if you have a flight journey departing or arriving at LKO, you need to have a comprehensive knowledge of this airport. Hopefully, this guide has helped you with that, where you get to know a bit of everything about the airport, including what the transportation options are, which airlines serve, what services and amenities are present, web check-in or airport check-in procedures, along with security and baggage. If it is your first time at the airport, then you have got enough information through this page, and if you really need some more info about any particular service or guidelines, then you can go to Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport's official website or reach out to its ground staff.

Frequently Asked Questions about Lucknow Airport

Which terminal does IndiGo use at Lucknow Airport?

Terminal 3 is where IndiGo Airlines operates both domestic and international flights.

Is there a metro connection to Lucknow Airport?

Yes, the airport is linked to the city by the Red Line of the Lucknow Metro, and the CCS Airport Metro Station is at the front of Terminal 2.

Can I sleep at Lucknow Airport overnight?

The airport has round-the-clock openings, but officially, no overnight sleeping is allowed.

Are there food options for vegetarians at Lucknow Airport?

Yes, a few vegetarian-friendly restaurants, such as Chai Point, Masala Kitchen, and Dastarkhwan. 

How early should I arrive at Lucknow Airport for an international flight?

It is advisable to be at the airport 3 hours before the flight leaves in case of international flights.

What are the different terminals at Lucknow Airport, and how do I know where to go?

Terminal 1 (International), Terminal 2 (Domestic), and Terminal 3 (Integrated Domestic and International).

Which airlines operate from Terminal 3 at Lucknow Airport?

Terminal 3 represents both domestic and international flights of different airlines, and IndiGo is one of them.

How can I travel between terminals at Lucknow Airport?

An inter-terminal transfer is not normally necessary to passengers; however, Terminals 2 and 3 are linked by a corridor.

Is there free wifi available at Lucknow Airport?

Yes, one can access free Wi-Fi (30 min) through TATA Wi-Fi; a mobile number registration is required.

Where can I find lounges at Lucknow Airport, and how can I access them?

The airport has lounges that can be entered with an airline membership or by paying at the door, but the locations are not specified.

Are there hotels near Lucknow Airport for layovers or overnight stays?

There are many hotels near the airport, including the Radisson Blu, which can be used during layovers.

How early should I reach Lucknow Airport for a domestic flight?

It is advisable to be there 2 hours before the scheduled departure time in case of domestic flights.

What are the transportation options from Lucknow Airport to the city?

Prepaid taxis, App-based cab services, and the Metro Red Line can reach it.

Can I book a prepaid taxi at Lucknow Airport?

Yes, you can book prepaid taxi services at the airport.

Does Lucknow Airport offer facilities for disabled or elderly passengers?

The airport has such facilities as wheelchairs and mobility assistance; they are provided upon request.

Where is the lost and found counter at Lucknow Airport?

It is situated in front of Gate No. 3 in Terminal 3; it remains open on Monday to Saturday between 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM. 

Is Lucknow Airport open 24 hours a day for travellers?

Yes, the two terminals are 24-hour operations

Are there duty-free shops at Lucknow Airport for international travellers?

Yes, it is situated in Terminal 1, for international travellers only.

How do I check flight status for departures from Lucknow Airport?

Go to the official site of the airport or use your airline's app to get updated in real-time.

Can I carry food inside Lucknow Airport or on the plane?

Yes, you can carry food to consume personally inside the plane including baby food, snacks, and medicines, must be inside Carry-on.