Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport is back in the news, this time for recording its highest-ever annual passenger traffic and cargo numbers. The airport saw a total of 37.53 million passengers passing through its terminals and about 4,39,524 metric tonne of cargo during the financial year 2023-24.
During this period, the airport served 32.86 million domestic passengers and 4.67 million international passengers, according to its statement.
Bangalore International Airport Limited Chief Operating Officer Satyaki Raghunath said the year has been a “landmark period” with the airport recording its highest passenger and cargo figures. “We’ve also seen an increase in the number of airlines as well as destinations we connect to,” he added.
“Our position as the No.1 Airport for processing perishable cargo for the third consecutive year highlights our steadfast commitment to advancing cargo development facilities,” Raghunath added.
Premier gateway to South and Central India
Raghunath expressed that the successful inauguration of Terminal 2, along with strategic partnerships forged with prominent airlines and cargo operators, positions them to strengthen their standing as the primary entry point to South and Central India.
In the fiscal year 2024, with the surge in travel demand, the Bangalore airport established itself as the foremost entry point in South India. It facilitated connections to a grand total of 108 destinations, encompassing 80 domestic and 28 international routes, thereby substantially expanding passenger options.
The airport also recorded a notable surge in air traffic movements (ATMs), tallying a total of 245,880 ATMs during the fiscal year 2024. Domestic ATMs exhibited a 10 percent increase, while international ATMs showed a growth of 13 percent compared to the preceding financial year.
In the financial year 2024, Airport Cargo logged a total throughput of 439,524 metric tonnes, showcasing a noteworthy 7.1 percent rise from the prior fiscal year. International tonnage reached 266,186 metric tonnes, marking a four percent growth over the preceding year, while domestic tonnage saw a robust 13 percent increase, totaling 173,338 metric tonnes compared to the previous year, according to the statement.
(With PTI inputs)