Guwahati, June 15: What was once viewed primarily as the gateway to Northeast India is now being celebrated as one of the world’s most beautiful airports.
In a major international recognition for Assam, the new Terminal 2 of Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LGBIA) in Guwahati has been named among the World’s Most Beautiful Airports 2026 by the prestigious Prix Versailles, a global architecture and design award presented annually at UNESCO.
The honour places Guwahati alongside some of the world’s most celebrated aviation hubs from Europe, North America and Asia, selected not merely for architectural beauty but for their ability to combine design, sustainability, cultural identity and passenger experience.
For Assam, the recognition carries significance beyond architecture
The new terminal was conceived as a tribute to the landscapes, biodiversity and cultural heritage of the Northeast. Its soaring bamboo-inspired columns, organic forms and nature-led design language draw inspiration from the region’s famed bamboo forests and orchids, creating a terminal that feels distinctly rooted in place rather than interchangeable with airports elsewhere in the world.
Architecture critics and the Prix Versailles jury have increasingly highlighted projects that reflect local identity while meeting global standards of sustainability and operational excellence. The awards recognise airports not just as transport hubs but as cultural landmarks capable of representing a region’s story to millions of travellers.
Guwahati’s inclusion comes at a time when the city is rapidly emerging as one of India’s most important aviation gateways. Passenger traffic through the airport has grown steadily over the past decade, reinforcing its role as the primary air link connecting the eight Northeastern states with the rest of India and international destinations.
The recognition is also a significant milestone for Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL), which operates the airport as part of its growing aviation network. Alongside Guwahati, the newly inaugurated Navi Mumbai International Airport also secured a place on the 2026 list, with its lotus-inspired architecture drawing global attention.
The Prix Versailles awards, regarded as one of the most influential honours in contemporary architecture and design, have since 2015 recognised projects that demonstrate innovation, creativity, ecological responsibility and cultural relevance. Airports selected by the jury are evaluated not only on aesthetics but also on their social impact, sustainability credentials and contribution to the traveller experience.
For Guwahati, the accolade marks another moment in the city’s evolving global profile.
Over the past few years, Assam’s largest city has witnessed major investments in roads, bridges, aviation infrastructure and urban development. The recognition of its airport on an international platform suggests that the region is increasingly being noticed not only for its natural beauty and tourism potential but also for the quality of its contemporary public infrastructure.
For millions of passengers who pass through the terminal every year, the airport may simply be the beginning or end of a journey.
For the world of architecture and design, however, Guwahati has now become a destination in its own right.
