KIA earns 'Large Airport' tag after handling 40 million passengers a year

International flight operations also saw 21 per cent increase

Bengaluru: The Kempegowda International Airport (BLR Airport) has surpassed the significant milestone of welcoming over 40 million passengers in a calendar year, solidifying its status as a "large airport" under the Airports Council International (ACI) standards.

Passenger traffic growth

In 2024, BLR Airport recorded 40.73 million passengers, a notable increase from 37.2 million in 2023. The airport experienced its busiest day on October 20, 2024, with over 1.26 lakh passengers, while October 17 saw a peak of 782 Air Traffic Movements (ATMs), surpassing the annual average of 723 ATMs per day.

Expanded connectivity

International flight operations saw a 21 per cent increase, averaging 75 ATMs daily in 2024 compared to 62 in 2023.

BLR Airport added 11 new domestic destinations and four international routes, connecting passengers to 75 domestic and 30 international destinations as of December 31, 2024. This growth has further consolidated its position as India’s third busiest airport for international passenger traffic.

Cargo business 

The airport also achieved impressive growth in cargo operations, handling 4,96,227 metric tonnes (MT) in 2024 — a 17 per cent increase compared to 2023.

International cargo volumes surged by 23 per cent to 3,13,981 MT, driven by heightened demand for agri-perishables, pharmaceuticals, ready-made garments, and machinery parts. Domestic cargo volumes grew by 9 per cent to reach 1,82,246 MT, with the highest single-day cargo volume of 1,884 MT recorded on July 11, 2024.