Bengaluru: Belgaum Airport has recorded an impressive growth in air passenger traffic, achieving a 64.1% increase in April 2024 compared to the same month in the previous year. According to the Airports Authority of India (AAI), while Bengaluru and Mangalore airports also experienced positive growth, there was a decline in passenger numbers at Hubballi, Kalaburagi, and Mysuru airports.

Nationwide Air Traffic Growth

The AAI’s monthly air traffic report highlighted a 6% overall growth in passenger traffic across the country. In April 2024, 32.39 million passengers traveled, up from 30.56 million in April 2023. Additionally, there was a notable 16.8% increase in the number of Indians traveling abroad.

Belgaum Airport’s Impressive Growth

Belgaum Airport saw 31,060 passengers in April 2024, a significant increase from the 18,922 passengers recorded in April 2023. Two primary factors contributed to this growth:
1. The daily operation of an IndiGo flight on the Belgaum-Delhi route, which began in October 2023.
2. The introduction of StarAir’s 80-seater Embraer 175 aircraft, which replaced the previous 50-seater aircraft.

Belgaum Airport Director S. Thiagarajan attributed this surge in passenger numbers to these enhancements in service.

Growth at Mangalore and Bengaluru Airports

Mangalore Airport experienced a 33.6% increase in passenger traffic, with 191,026 travelers in April 2024 compared to 142,995 in April 2023. This makes Mangalore the second fastest-growing airport in the region.

Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru also saw steady growth, with a 6.7% increase in passenger numbers. The airport handled 3,421,997 passengers in April 2024, up from 3,206,356 passengers in April 2023.

Decline at Other Regional Airports

In contrast, Hubballi, Kalaburagi, and Mysuru airports reported a decline in passenger traffic. This mixed trend across different airports highlights the varying factors influencing air travel preferences and connectivity in the region.

The continued growth at Belgaum, Mangalore, and Bengaluru airports underscores the increasing demand for air travel and improved connectivity in these regions, driven by enhanced flight services and better infrastructure.