- BLR Airport recorded a total passenger traffic of 40.73 Million in CY 2024
- Achieved a record single-day passenger count of 126,532 on October 20, 2024, averaging 723 ATMs daily
- Significant annual growth of 21.1% in international pax traffic from BLR Airport.
- Expanded connectivity with 11 new domestic destinations and 4 international routes
- Noted a significant 17% annual growth in cargo tonnage, reaching a record 496,227 metric tonnes (MT) for the calendar year.
- Recorded highest single-day cargo handling at 1,884 MT
Bengaluru. 09 January 2025. Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport), witnessed robust growth in both passenger and cargo traffic during Calendar Year (CY) 2024. For the first time, the airport surpassed the milestone of welcoming over 40 million passengers in a single calendar year, elevating its status to a ‘Large Airport’ globally, in line with ACI’s (>40 mppa) categorisation.
This growth was complemented by a significant surge in daily air traffic movements (ATMs) and the launch of several new domestic and international routes. BLR Airport also reported its highest-ever annual cargo tonnage of 496,227 MT, reflecting strong performance in both international and domestic segments. These milestones highlight BLR Airport’s growing importance as a major hub for travel and trade in the region.
Passenger Traffic Growth
In 2024, BLR Airport welcomed 40.73 million passengers in 2024 as compared to 37.2 million in 2023. The highest number of passengers in a single day was recorded on October 20, 2024, with 126,532 passengers passing through the airport. Additionally, the Airport recorded a peak of 782 Air Traffic Movements (ATMs) on October 17, 2024, with an annual average of 723 ATMs per day.
Connectivity and New Routes
As of December 31, 2024, BLR Airport serviced 75 domestic and 30 international destinations, further solidifying its position as a premier gateway for both passenger and cargo traffic in the region. The Airport expanded its global network with new airline partners like Virgin Atlantic, Salam Air, Manta Air and Fly91. The frequency of international flights increased by 21%, with an average of 75 ATMs per day in CY 2024, up from 62 ATMs per day in CY 2023. By the end of CY24, Indigo added 46 international weekly departures from BLR, making up one-third of the total 240 additional international weekly departures from India. This is the highest number of additions in India from any station by Indigo in CY24.
Major airlines operating to and from BLR Airport have increased international seat capacity by over 3,700 daily seats between the beginning of the IATA Summer 2024 season and the Winter 2024 season. This surge is largely driven by Indigo’s expansion of its international network and frequency, along with increased services from several foreign carriers. As a result, BLR Airport is now consolidating its position as the third busiest airport in India for international passenger numbers.
The top domestic routes included Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM), Kolkata (CCU), Hyderabad (HYD), and Pune (PNQ), while the most popular international destinations were Dubai (DXB), Singapore (SIN), Abu Dhabi (AUH), Doha (DOH), and London Heathrow (LHR). The year also saw the launch of several new routes, including domestic destinations like Ayodhya (AYJ), Aizawl (AJL), Deoghar (DGH), Nanded (NDC), Jabalpur (JLR), Dibrugarh (DIB), and Sindhudurg (SDW), as well as international routes to Denpasar (DPS), Mauritius (MRU), Langkawi (LGK), and Dhaalu, Maldives (DDD). These route expansions reflect BLR Airport’s ongoing efforts to enhance connectivity and meet growing passenger demand.
Cargo Business Milestones
BLR Airport also experienced significant growth in cargo volumes -, processing 496,227 metric tons (MT) of cargo in CY 2024—a 17% increase compared to CY 2023. International cargo saw a remarkable 23% growth, totalling 313,981 MT, driven by increased demand for perishables, spare parts, engineering goods, and e-commerce shipments. Domestic cargo volumes increased by 9%, reaching 182,246 MT, spurred by seasonal perishable volumes and expanding e-commerce activity.
The Airport’s highest single-day cargo volume was recorded on July 11, 2024, with 1,884 MT processed. The key commodities driving cargo growth included agri-perishables, ready-made garments, pharmaceuticals, machinery parts, accessories, and spare parts. BLR Airport’s cargo network now includes 12 freighter airlines operating on both domestic and international routes,. Key export routes included Singapore (SIN), London (LHR), Frankfurt (FRA), Chicago (ORD), and Muscat (MCT), while top import routes included Shenzhen (SZX), Singapore (SIN), Shanghai (PVG), Hong Kong (HKG), and Frankfurt (FRA).
BLR Airport retains its pole position as the country’s No. 1 airport for Perishable Exports for the fourth consecutive year. Processed 63,188 MT in FY 2023-24, an 18% growth over PY, handling 28% of the country’s and 44% of South India’s total perishable Air cargo.
BLR Airport processed over 10.8 million rose stems, totalling 411 MT, a growth of 14% to previous year. Similarly, mango exports saw a 20% increase to 822 MT and coriander domestic movement was at 5200 MT with a 53% growth rate.
Looking Ahead
As BLR Airport reflects on an extraordinary year of growth and achievement, the Airport remains committed to enhancing its position as a leading aviation hub and the preferred gateway to South and Central India. With ongoing expansion, operational excellence, and passenger-focused innovations, the Airport is poised to continue driving growth in the coming years.
