BENGALURU: Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) achieved a new milestone by clocking a footfall of 40.7 million passengers in 2024, marking a 9.5% increase in passenger traffic compared to the previous year.
With this, KIA has met the Airports Council International’s parameters for it to be placed on the list of the world’s “larger airports”.
In 2023, the Bengaluru airport had recorded 37.2 million passengers.
Referring to the increase in passenger traffic, Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) said in a statement: “This growth was complemented by a significant surge in daily air traffic movements (ATMs) and the launch of several new domestic and international routes.”
The highest single-day passenger count at the airport was during the festive season on Oct 20, 2024, when over 1.2 lakh passengers passed through KIA. The average ATMs per day is 723.
KIA added 11 new domestic and 4 int’l routes in 2024
Single-day record for landings and take-offs was clocked on Oct 17, with 782 ATMs.
The achievements of 2024 solidify Bengaluru’s reputation as a vital gateway for South and Central India, setting the stage for continued growth and leadership in the aviation industry. An official said: “It underscores our commitment to fostering connectivity, operational excellence, and providing an unmatched passenger experience.”
Connectivity expanded significantly during the year, with 11 new domestic and four international routes added to the airport’s repertoire, bringing the total destinations served by KIA to 75 domestic and 30 international by the end of 2024.
The airport welcomed new airline partners such as Virgin Atlantic, Salam Air, Manta Air, and Fly91. Domestic carrier Indigo alone introduced 46 weekly international departures, contributing to a 21.1% growth in international passenger traffic. Airlines also increased their seat capacity, adding more than 3,700 daily seats between the IATA Summer 2024 and Winter 2024 seasons. Popular international destinations included Dubai, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and London Heathrow, while domestic travellers frequently flew to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Pune.
Cargo operations also saw growth during 2024, with 4,96,227 metric tonnes (MT) of cargo handled in 2024 — a 17% increase over 2023. International cargo volumes grew by 23% to 313,981 MT. On July 11, 2024, the airport recorded its highest single-day cargo volume at 1,884 MT. Key drivers included perishables, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, and e-commerce shipments. KIA maintained its position as India’s leading airport for perishable exports for the fourth year, handling 63,188 MT in 2023-24, which accounted for 28% of the country’s and 44% of South India’s total perishable air cargo.
A KIA spokesperson said: “We are poised for sustained growth, both as a key player in global air travel and as a major hub for trade and logistics.”
