Hyderabad: RGIA recognized as India’s fastest-growing metro airport in 2024

Hyderabad: Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) has been recognized as India’s fastest-growing metro airport in 2024, according to a report by the Airports Authority of India (AAI).

The airport recorded the highest increase in passenger traffic among major metro airports in the country.

Highest Passenger Traffic Growth Among Metro Airports

Data from AAI shows that RGIA led with a 14.8% rise in passenger traffic compared to the previous year.

Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) followed with a 9.5% increase, while Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) reported a 9% growth.

Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) and Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) saw moderate growth rates of 7.8% and 6.3%, respectively. Chennai’s airport (MAA) recorded the lowest increase at 5.3%.

Record Passenger and Aircraft Movement on January 18

On January 18, RGIA set a new single-day record, handling 94,630 passengers and 607 aircraft movements. This milestone reflects the airport’s steady growth throughout 2024, with a total passenger count of 2.78 crore for the year.

Monthly Passenger Traffic Trends

Passenger traffic at Hyderabad Airport showed a consistent upward trend throughout 2024:

• January: 21.81 lakh

• February: 20.77 lakh

• March: 22.16 lakh

• April: 21.96 lakh

• May: 23.91 lakh

• June: 22.23 lakh

• July: 22.66 lakh

• August: 23.30 lakh

• September: 22.61 lakh

• October: 24.95 lakh

• November: 25.32 lakh

• December: 27.05 lakh (highest monthly traffic)

December Sees Highest Traffic Figures

December 2024 was the busiest month for RGIA, recording a 20% year-on-year (YoY) increase with 27.05 lakh passengers. Domestic travelers made up 23 lakh of this total, while international passengers accounted for 4 lakh.

On December 22, the airport previously set a record with over 92,000 passengers in a single day. However, this was surpassed on January 18, 2025.

Steady Growth in Hyderabad’s Air Travel Sector

The steady rise in passenger numbers indicates Hyderabad’s growing importance as an aviation hub. Factors such as increased connectivity, improved infrastructure, and rising demand for domestic and international travel have contributed to this growth.

Authorities expect the trend to continue, with further expansions planned to accommodate future passenger traffic at RGIA.