Hyderabad International Airport surpasses 12 mn passenger mark

Hyderabad: The GMR Hyderabad International Airport (GHIAL) has showcased remarkable growth, recording over 12 million passengers in the first half of the fiscal year 2024. This milestone has been propelled by a substantial surge in both domestic and international air traffic. In October 2023 alone, domestic traffic soared by 15 per cent compared to the previous year, while international passengers experienced an impressive 23 per cent increase during the same period.

India has solidified its position as the world’s third-largest aviation market, with a robust domestic air passenger segment tallying up to 75.4 million. GHIAL has seen a staggering growth trajectory, registering over 6 million passengers from July to September 2023, marking a significant leap from the 4.9 million recorded during the same period in 2022 – a notable 24 per cent increase.

This exponential growth extends to air traffic movements (ATMs) with a total of 42,625 movements in the July-September 2023 window, including 35,782 domestic and 6,843 International ATMs. Notably, domestic traffic escalated by 24 per cent year-on-year, and international traffic surged by an impressive 23 per cent in Q2FY24.

Furthermore, GHIAL’s achievements transcend passenger numbers, as it retains its position as the third-best airport globally for on-time performance, as reported by Cirrum. This success can be attributed to its strategic location advantage, extensive route network spanning over 80 domestic and international destinations, and robust multi-modal connectivity, establishing GHIAL as the ‘Gateway of Choice’ in South and Central India.

Hyderabad International Airport has solidified its standing as the fourth busiest airport in India for annual passenger traffic, boasting extensive connections offered by airlines like IndiGo, providing flights to 14 international and 53 domestic destinations from Hyderabad. The airport’s connectivity has expanded significantly, linking over 66 domestic and 19 international destinations, including top tourist spots both within and outside metro cities.

GHIAL has witnessed numerous route developments, including increased frequencies and new operations by airlines like Singapore Airlines, IndiGo, Kuwait Airways, Air India Express, and upcoming connections by Lufthansa Airlines and others, augmenting its connectivity.

This growth is further propelled by the government’s RCS-UDAN scheme, promoting air connectivity to under served airports in Tier II and Tier III cities, enhancing regional growth and augmenting Hyderabad airport’s connectivity.

The rising per capita income, increasing middle-class population, higher disposable incomes, and a burgeoning number of travelers have significantly contributed to the surge in both domestic and international traffic at Hyderabad Airport.

In response to escalating passenger demands, GHIAL is expanding its passenger handling capacity through significant phase-wise expansions, integrating additional areas totaling 56,474 square meters. These expansions encompass revamped terminals, improved air side areas, enhanced facilities, technological advancements and an expanded duty-free section.

Looking ahead, GHIAL aims to further enhance connectivity targeting destinations like Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Dallas, Melbourne, Sydney, Paris, Amsterdam as well as regions in Indonesia, Vietnam, Kazakhstan and Nepal. These developments underscore Hyderabad Airport’s commitment to meeting the evolving needs of travelers and cementing its status as a prominent global aviation hub.