Saturday, May 17, 2025
Record Passenger Growth Sets New Benchmark
It was reported that Mangaluru International Airport experienced its highest ever passenger traffic in the financial year (FY) 2024-25, handling 2.32 million (mn) passengers. This figure surpassed its previous peak of 2.26 mn recorded in FY2017-18, reflecting a strong upward trend in airport usage. Compared to the pre-pandemic FY2019-20, which saw 1.87 mn passengers, the increase stood at a significant 24.1 percent.
The growth momentum continued from the previous fiscal year as well, with a 15.34 percent increase in passenger numbers from FY2023-24 when the airport handled 2.01 mn travelers. In absolute terms, this translated to 3.09 lakh more passengers in FY2024-25 compared to the prior year, underscoring the accelerating demand for air travel through this gateway.
Domestic and International Passenger Growth
Analysis showed that the surge was predominantly driven by the domestic sector, where passenger numbers climbed from 1.40 million in FY2023-24 to 1.61 million in FY2024-25, marking a growth of 14.55 percent. Meanwhile, the international traveler count rose by 17.15 percent, with 7.15 lakh passengers flying to various overseas destinations, compared to 6.10 lakh in the previous fiscal.
Increase in Air Traffic Movements
The airport also recorded a rise in Air Traffic Movements (ATMs), managing a total of 16,816 domestic, international, and general aviation traffic movements in FY2024-25. This represented an 11.26 percent increase over the 15,113 ATMs logged in FY2023-24.
More specifically, the international sector showed remarkable growth with a 22.14 percent increase in ATMs, handling 4,286 movements compared to 3,509 previously. On the domestic front, ATMs grew by 8.94 percent, rising to 12,244 from 11,239.
Cargo Operations and Growth
Cargo operations have seen substantial development, especially since the inauguration of the Integrated Cargo Terminal on 01 May 2023. In FY2024-25, the airport handled 3,864.1 metric tonnes (MT) of domestic cargo, a rise from 3,706.02 MT in FY2023-24.
International cargo operations commenced in July 2024, managing 1,347.07 MT of cargo by the end of March 2025. This total included 1,346.27 MT outbound and 0.79 MT inbound cargo, marking the beginning of a new chapter in Mangaluru’s cargo logistics capabilities.
Continued Strong Start to FY 2025-26
The momentum was sustained as the airport started the new fiscal year 2025-26 with record passenger figures in April 2025, handling 217,893 passengers, the highest monthly count since the airport’s commercial operations began on October 31, 2020.
This passenger total comprised 143,117 domestic and 74,776 international travelers, supported by 1,182 domestic and 392 international ATMs. This surpassed the previous monthly record of 213,256 passengers set in January 2025.
Additionally, the airport achieved its highest single-day passenger count of 8,103 travelers on 12 April 2025, edging past the earlier record of 8,086 set on 22 February 2025.
Impact on the Travel Industry and Global Travelers
This surge in passenger and cargo numbers at Mangaluru International Airport signals robust recovery and growth in air travel demand, especially within emerging regional hubs. For the travel industry, such milestones highlight the importance of infrastructural readiness and the capacity to handle increasing volumes, both passenger-wise and cargo-wise.
Global travelers stand to benefit from enhanced connectivity, greater flight options, and improved service levels, especially in a post-pandemic environment where demand is rising. The airport’s expanding cargo facilities also facilitate smoother international trade, potentially attracting more business travelers and boosting economic activity in the region.
Summary of Key Points
- Passenger traffic in FY2024-25 reached 2.32 million, a new record for the airport.
- Domestic passengers grew by 14.55 percent; international passengers by 17.15 percent.
- Air Traffic Movements increased by 11.26 percent overall, with international ATMs up by 22.14 percent.
- Cargo operations expanded significantly with over 3,864 MT domestic and 1,347 MT international cargo handled.
- April 2025 saw the highest monthly and single-day passenger records since the airport’s commercial launch.
