Hyd airport records 1.75 million passenger footfall in May 2022

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad International Airport recorded 1.75 million passenger footfall in May 2022. It saw over 15 lakh domestic passengers and around 2.7 lakh international travelers. The domestic traffic recovery of Hyderabad airport was 93% of the pre-Covid level and international traffic recovery was 86% in May. The airport has steadily witnessed an increase in passenger footfall and Air Traffic Movements (ATMs) over the last few months.

Compared to other metro airports in India, Hyderabad airport has the highest international passenger recovery during the period April 2021-Mach 2022. In the domestic segment, Hyderabad airport recovery was at par with the Delhi International Airport, which is another GMR Group airport.

With the easing of international travel restrictions and the gradual decline of Covid-19 cases, air travel has been steadily increasing with domestic and international travel picking up across India. The number of domestic passengers in a single day from Hyderabad International Airport crossed 53,000 on 15 May, which is ~103% of pre-Covid daily average domestic traffic. The airport also recorded the highest post-Covid domestic Air Traffic Movements (ATMs) of 401 on 15 May (89% of pre-Covid traffic).

The post-Covid growth in the destinations being connected has been remarkable and in the last few months, it has added 15 new domestic sectors. Hyderabad is now connected to over 70 domestic destinations, from the pre-Covid period of 55 domestic destinations. The UDAN initiative, which is aimed to bolster regional connectivity by connecting underserved/unserved airports in Tier II-Tier III cities, has further boosted connectivity across India. Recently under this initiative, Hyderabad airport introduced new routes to Gulbarga and Hubbali.

With International travel resuming, Hyderabad airport is now connected to earlier favourite destinations like London, Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Dubai, Qatar, Sharjah, Doha, and Kuwait to name a few. Except for Hongkong, all the earlier international destinations are now connected to Hyderabad. The airport has also added flights to new international destinations like Chicago and Maldives. Recently, Thai Smile Airlines resumed direct Hyderabad-Bangkok flights. Further, Air Asia Berhad also resumed its Hyderabad-Kula Lumpur flights.

Pradeep Panicker, the CEO of GHIAL, said, "Hyderabad airport has seen a rise in passenger footfall. There seems to be a gradual rebound in aviation travel with declining Covid cases and increasing numbers of vaccinated travellers. With many countries easing restrictions and opening up skies to travellers, we are hopeful that the momentum will continue to sustain. We are all set to give an enhanced passenger service and enable smoother airport operations with the first phase of the expansion all set to commence services. Efforts are on to connect Hyderabad to more destinations across India and the globe."