Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) celebrated a transformative year in 2024, marked by record-breaking passenger growth, infrastructure advancements, and prestigious accolades. The airport’s consistent focus on safety, sustainability, and enhanced connectivity has cemented its position as a crucial regional aviation hub.
MIA marked a historic milestone in October 2024 by recording its highest-ever passenger traffic in a single month. About 202,892 passengers, including 138,902 domestic travellers and 63,990 international passengers. This remarkable achievement underlined MIA’s growing significance as a key link connecting Mangaluru to national and international destinations.
Expanded connectivity contributed a major role in this exponential growth. IndiGo added more direct flights to Chennai, thus providing a greater travel experience for passengers whereas Air India Express launched a new Boeing 737-8 service interlinking Chennai and Mangalore via Bengaluru.
MIA milestones in 2024
The airport’s commitment to infrastructure growth has obtained the prestigious Build India Infra Award in the innovation category. The award was felicitated for acknowledging the speedy completion of a 2,450-meter runway recarpeting project, which was carried out in just 75 working days. The safety and operational efficiency were boosted as the project featured a unique flexible asphalt overlay on a rigid concrete base.
The airport is equipped with energy-efficient lighting systems and has adopted robust waste management practices intending to achieve sustainable goals. These initiatives have been taken to minimize its environmental footprint and by adhering to eco-friendly operations.
MIA has also been recognized for receiving several accolades in 2024. The airport has been declared as the best in the ‘’Under 5 million passengers’’ category at Asia’s largest civil aviation exhibition at Wings India 2024. The airport was honoured by the Former Union Minister for Civil Aviation and Steel Jyotiraditya Scindia, which recognized MIA’s stunning growth of 1,927, 466 passengers in 2023. A 14.17 percent hike was recorded from last year.
The airport was also conferred with a Platinum Award at the Apex India Occupational Health and Safety Awards 2023, acknowledging its extraordinary safety record. With an ambition to become India’s safest tabletop airport, MIA remains dedicated to its Vision 2025. The airport will be able to achieve this feat through zero worksite incidents and by organizing comprehensive training programs.
In terms of improving passengers’ convenience, MIA has widened its variety of food, retail, and beverages. Moreover, an MIA super App( Adani One) has also been introduced to make travel experiences memorable, smoother, and more well-organized for passengers.
(With inputs from PTI)