MIA handles highest number of passengers in July

Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) handled 1,62,667 passengers including 1,07,455 domestic passengers in the month of July--which is the highest number of passengers - domestic and international for the present fiscal.

This is the second highest number of passengers that the airport has handled since commercial operation date (COD) of October 31, 2020. The airport in May 2022 had handled 1,67,180 passengers, which is the highest since COD.

The airport in the first four months of financial year 2023-24 handled 24,037 more passengers at 6,20,553 passengers compared to 5,96,516 passengers it handled in the corresponding period in the previous fiscal.

This includes 1,40,633 passengers in April (1,46,080 passengers in April 2022), 1,61,857 in May (1,67,180), 1,55,396 in June (1,39,331) and 1,62,667 in July (1,43,925).

The buoyancy in passenger movement in July 2023 during monsoon, has helped boost numbers, the airport spokesperson said. The airport at present provides direct domestic connectivity to Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Pune.

A through connectivity to Ranchi with IndiGo and Air India operating exclusively to Mumbai. On the international front, the airport provides direct connection to Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dammam, Doha, Dubai, Kuwait, and Muscat and one through flight to Bahrain via Kannur. The airport is coordinating with Indian carriers to introduce new international flights to Jeddah and Sharjah with additional frequency planned for Doha, Abu Dhabi, and Kuwait.

Domestic cargo improves

The airport has also registered an upward trend in handling of domestic cargo ever since integrated cargo terminal (ICT) became operational on May 1, 2023. The airport handled 246 tonnes of assorted cargo in May, and this increased to 332 tonnes in June and 376 tonnes in July. Most of the cargo handled at ICT is outbound with 229 tonnes handled in May, 306 tonnes in June and 354 tonnes in July respectively. The inbound cargo largely comprises e-commerce items, stationery, and post office mail.