- Sep 23, 2025
Shillong is known for its scenic locations and cultural legacy that blends the Khasi tradition. People visit Shillong to witness the culture and how people keep it alive while accepting a modern perspective. Most people in Shillong practise Christianity and live by the rules of the matrilineal society, unlike the rest of the nation. Everyone loves the local food, and tourists visit the stall for the best street food, including Jadoh, a mixture of rice and pork, Tungrymbai, a soybean fermented dish, Momos, and Doh Khlieh. They also have the best sweets like Pukhein, Sakin Gata, and Kyat. The beautiful locations have made Shillong, the natural wonder, known as the Eastern Scotland because of the similarities in the area.
Introduction to Shillong Airport
Shillong Airport (SHL), also known as Umroi Airport and Barapani Airport, located at Umroi, Meghalaya, India, serves only domestic airlines and connects Shillong to the rest of the nation. It is an operational hub for Alliance Air and IndiGo. The airport was founded in the 1960s and started operating in the mid-1970s. The Airports Authority of India manages it with the help of the Indian Air Force. They began with constructing a new terminal building, which opened in 2011. Later, they built and opened an Instrument Landing System in 2015. This airport is almost 30 km away from the city. It is one of the busiest airports of Northeast India and ties the Northeast region to the rest of the world.
See also: Vadodara Airport Guide 2025
Terminal Overview
There is only one terminal at Shillong Airport. It manages passenger traffic and serves as an interface between passengers and the airlines on which they have booked tickets. Passengers are directed to this terminal, where the check-in and security routine will occur. Baggage will also be managed from there, and boarding and disembarking will happen there.
Terminal 1
Shillong Airport has one domestic terminal, which can handle 100 passengers arriving and departing. It has almost six check-in counters and one security counter. The arrival and departure sections can hold 50 passengers each. Only IndiGo airline flies every day from Shillong and connects it to Kolkata.
See also: Pune Airport Guide
Airlines Operating from Shillong Airport's Terminal
Shillong Airport has been one of the busiest airports in the Northeast, and it is to connect it to the rest of the nation. This airport only serves domestic locations. Still, the busiest route that Shillong Airport serves is to Kolkata Airport. It flies there every day. No international flights take off from here, so you must take a connecting flight to travel internationally. Three airlines operate from this airport. Read about those airlines and the destinations that they cover below:
- Alliance Air: This airline serves five destinations from this airport: Aizawl, Dimapur, Guwahati, Lilabari, and Tezpur.
- IndiGo: It flies to three destinations from this airport: Dilbrugarh, Imphal, and Kolkata.
- SpiceJet: It goes to two destinations: Delhi and Kolkata.
See also: Bagdogra Airport Guide 2025
Transportation to and from Shillong Airport
Tourists love Shillong, and it is a respite in the summer season. You can connect from the Shillong airport to the city in many ways. Choose the one that fits your budget and allows you to reach the airport on time. When picking a transportation means, there are several factors to consider, so check thoroughly. Tourists love Shillong, so they look for the best time to travel and then look for ways to reach the location on time and smoothly. Below are the three modes of transportation that you can use to reach Shillong city from the airport or vice versa:
Bus: The public buses in Shillong, also called Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC), connect the cities of Meghalaya to the airport and the other way around. The bus stand at Jaiaw is just a 30-40 minute drive from the airport and connects both locations by the GS Road. The distance between the stand and the airport is approximately 25 kilometres. Bus travel is comparatively better than rail or metro travel because it eliminates the formalities and allows the journey to begin as soon as possible.
See also: Cochin Airport Guide 2025
Rail: This is the best way to take the scenic route from the airport to the city. You will love experiencing the train journey. The nearest railway station is Guwahati railway station in the Paltan Bazaar. It will take approximately 1.5-2 hours to reach the station. The distance from the station to the airport is almost 95 km. You will have to take a cab from the station to the airport.
See also: Chennai Airport Guide 2025
Cab/ Taxi: When travelling from the city to the airport or vice versa, you can book a cab at your fingertips. There are many cab services that you can choose from. You can select Ola or Uber, too. Book these cabs and they will drop you precisely at the location only. This will cost you more than the other options, but it is also the most convenient. With some discount offers, you can try to book a cheap taxi too. This mode of transportation is flexible and provides a seamless travel experience.
See also: Jaipur Airport Guide 2025
Baggage Services & Lost and Found
When you travel with any airlines, you carry your baggage, which consists of your precious things, documents, and luggage. You cannot afford to miss any of these things at the airport, so you must be careful about your baggage. If you are a tourist, then you can follow the guide below to know about the baggage services that are offered at the Shillong airport, so that you can keep up and benefit from them:
- You must check the baggage allowance permitted by the airline you travel with. The allowance depends on the destination and the fare ticket you bought. So, you should check before booking how much baggage your airline allows for your fare. You must pay or upgrade to take more than the allowed amount.
- At the airport, you can take advantage of trolleys, which will help you carry and manage your baggage. Shillong Airport has maintained a baggage trolley system. It helped to retain the passenger flow. It will help you carry heavy luggage and avoid losing a bag in the chaos.
- When you book your flight with the airline, you can also check if they allow you to web-check in. That will help you carry the baggage process more smoothly and save time. A self-baggage drop facility is available at the airport, which will let you travel hassle-free.
See also: Kolkata Airport Guide
Unfortunately, if you lose your baggage at the Shillong Airport and later realise that you have left it somewhere, you should not worry because the airport officials understand what it is like to lose your precious things with the luggage. You should not worry about it; contact the airport and airline you have been travelling with. Upon realising this, you should take immediate steps to help notify the airport so they can look for it for you.
- You should contact the airline with which you booked the tickets. If your ticket is with IndiGo, Alliance Air, or SpiceJet, they will let you know if they found your baggage. There must be a lost and found counter where you must describe your bag and what it contains. At the arrival hall, you will have to navigate the counter or call to ask for help from the agent.
- There is always a lost and found counter at the airport. If you need help, you will be asked to provide proof of the flight and the luggage.
- Another way to track your lost luggage is to contact the airport. You will need to give them precise information about the location and time.
- You must reach the airport within 90 days of your travel. If you contact the airport after that, it might be tough for them to locate your baggage. Perishable items can only be kept for 48 days and discarded by the airport officers.
- Also, there are some documents that you will have to carry with you at the airport when submitting a report for lost and found: your valid government ID or identification proof, the poof of your journey, i.e., your boarding pass, and proof of ownership, i.e., a detailed description of the luggage and an authorisation certificate.
See also: Delhi Airport Guide 2025
Check-In and Security Procedures at Shillong Airport
If you plan on traveling and want to witness the beauty of Shillong, you will book a round-trip. You should know about some guidelines, as they will help you with the check-in and security procedure. You can use this as your guide when travelling to Shillong or anywhere else. The airport check-in and security process takes a lot of time, so it is advised that you note the formalities and be prepared in advance as to what the process might ask from you. Follow the procedures to know about the check-in and security:
- You must carry the necessary documents for travelling, such as your passport, boarding pass, and identity proof. You will need these even to enter the airport, so do not miss out on these documents, as they are the basic requirements.
- Also, reach the airport 2 hours before departure, as this process takes a lot of time. Passenger traffic can also delay your check-in process. Reach the airport on time and keep all the documents handy so you do not have to wait in the long queues.
- Locate the airline from which you booked your ticket and provide them with the information to help you check in.
- The security will check your baggage for safety purposes, so do not carry anything that has been prohibited.
- Board the flight when the airline calls out your category.
See also: Bangalore Airport Guide 2025
Shillong Airport Facilities and Amenities
At the Shillong airport, you should know about the specific services and facilities offered to make your journey even more fulfilling. You should look at them and use them whenever you need.
Lounges
Private lounges are available at the Shillong airport that you can use to be comfortable and relax if you have time before your flight's departure. Away from the airport business, you can read, eat, and even work at the lounge. They offer comfortable seating for you. You will also get complimentary food and drinks. Access to the private lounge provides many more services. You will have a peaceful environment before your travel starts.
See also: Ahmedabad Airport Guide 2025
Free Wi-Fi and charging stations
No Wi-Fi is available at the airport, but you can use the private lounges' access to get Wi-Fi. With the membership, you will get free Wi-Fi and charging stations. The high-speed Wi-Fi can be used for messaging and consuming content. Charging stations are available at the stations that can charge all devices.
Shopping and Duty Free Stores
When you visit Shillong, you must carry some souvenirs back home to remember your trip; there are some stores for that. There are no duty-free stores at the airport, but you can buy many products at an affordable price.
Dining options
There are some good dining options near Shillong Airport that you should definitely try. Some are Soilyna Huts Restaurant, Cherpunji, Halari Orchid, and Soul Kitchen Restaurant. They have delicious food and offer local food from Shillong, too.
See also: Hyderabad Airport Guide 2025
Tips for a Smooth Experience at Shillong Airport
- You should try to reach the airport on time. You should try to come 2 hours before the departure.
- Carry all the necessary documents with you to avoid any last-minute ruckus. Keep all of them handy.
- Also, if there is a web check-in vs an airport check-in, always go with web check-in. It will save your time.
See also: Mumbai Airport Guide 2025
Future Expansion Plans for Shillong Airport
The Shillong airport expansion project will solve many issues related to the rush, and more airlines will fly from here after this. At the end of 2026, the runway will extend, thus making the expansion beneficial for all. After completion, the project will bring many new opportunities for the airport.
Conclusion
Shillong Airport is opening up new opportunities and inviting more airlines. After COVID, people have kept their eyes open for all the beautiful places they can travel to. Shillong is gathering a lot of attention, so working on the airport will be beneficial for attracting tourism. All the facilities are available at the airport, from Wi-Fi, lounge, to dining, so you do not have to wander around. There are a lot of modes of transportation around Shillong that connect the airport to the city, so travel to Shillong for your next trip.
See also: Varanasi Airport Guide 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which terminal does IndiGo use at Shillong Airport?
IndiGo airlines uses Terminal 1 at the Shillong Airport to manage its operations.
2. Is there a metro connection to Shillong airport?
No metro is connected to the Shillong Airport from the city. You can use bus, rail, or cab services.
3. Can I sleep at Shillong Airport overnight?
Yes, you can sleep at the Shillong airport if you have a valid boarding pass and your flight departs within 24 hours.
4. Are there food options for vegetarians at Shillong airport?
Yes, vegetarian food is available at the Shillong airport.
5. How early should I arrive at Shillong airport for an international flight?
Shillong Airport only runs domestic flights for now. There are no international flights.
6. What are the different terminals at Shillong airport, and how do I know where to go?
There is one integrated terminal at the Shillong airport, so you must go there to locate the airline's counter.
7. Which airlines operate from Terminal 3 at Shillong airport?
There is only one terminal at the Shillong airport. IndiGo, Alliance Air, and SpiceJet operated from here.
8. How can I travel between terminals at Shillong Airport?
Shillong airport has only one terminal from where they operate all the airlines.
9. Is there free Wi-Fi available at Shillong airport?
No, there is no Wi-Fi access available at the Shillong airport.
10. Where can I find lounges at Shillong airport, and how can I access them?
Private lounges are available at the Shillong airport. You can relax and wait for your flight. You will have to buy a membership.
11. Are there hotels near Shillong Airport for layovers or overnight stays?
There are many hotels near Shillong Airport for layovers or overnight stays, like Courtyard by Marriott, Ri Kynjai, and Windermere resorts.
12. How early should I reach Shillong airport for a domestic flight?
For domestic flights, you should reach Shillong airport 2 hours before departure.
13. What are the transportation options from Shillong airport to the city?
There are three transportation options from Shillong airport to the city: cab, bus, or rail.
14. Can I book a prepaid taxi at Shillong airport?
You can book a prepaid taxi or cab service at Shillong Airport.
15. Does Shillong Airport offer facilities for disabled or elderly passengers?
Shillong airport offers services for disabled and elderly passengers, such as assistance and wheelchairs.
16. Where is the lost and found counter at Shillong airport?
If you want to reach the Shillong airport, then you should try to approach the Airport Manager's office.
17. Is Shillong airport open 24 hours for travellers?
Yes, Shillong airport is open 24 hours a day for travellers.
18. Are there duty-free shops at Shillong Airport for international travellers?
No, there are no duty-free shops at the Shillong airport.
19. How do I check flight status for departures from Shillong Airport?
You should use the airline app you travel with to track the flight's status.
20. Can I carry food inside Shillong airport or on the plane?
Yes, you can carry food inside the plane and at the airport.
