Passenger traffic movement more than doubles at Adani-run airports

The Adani Group, which manages airports in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Mangalore, Jaipur, Guwahati, and Thiruvananthapuram, has reported an astounding 103 per cent increase in passenger traffic during the fiscal year 2022-2023 (FY23). The group's airports welcomed around 74.8 million passengers, signifying a remarkable resurgence in the Indian aviation sector after the turbulence caused by the pandemic, newspaper Business Standard reported.

Jeet Adani, the executive overseeing the airport business within the Adani conglomerate, also revealed a substantial upswing in cargo handling. The seven Adani-run airports efficiently processed 780,000 metric tonnes of cargo in FY23, marking a significant 16.4 per cent YoY growth compared to the previous fiscal year.

Additionally, the airports witnessed a substantial surge in air traffic movement, with over 544,000 flights recorded in FY23, reflecting a remarkable 170.1 per cent increase. Each departure or arrival is considered an air traffic movement, highlighting the extraordinary demand for air travel across these key airports.

Air traffic movement at these airports saw an extraordinary 170.1% increase | Image credit: Pexels

The exponential growth in passenger numbers has put a strain on the infrastructure at the country's busiest airports, with Terminal 3 of Delhi Airport witnessing scenes of heightened activity. As a result, the seven Adani-run airports have decided to invest Rs 7,426 crore in capital expenditure during the entire FY24 to bolster and upgrade their facilities.

Not just Adani airports

It is not just Adani Group-run airports that have witnessed growth. Data shared by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) indicates that the entire aviation sector in India is soaring, with Indian carriers recording an average of 372,840 passengers per day in FY23. This represents a staggering 59.81 per cent surge compared to FY22, signalling a strong resurgence in air travel demand.

Industry experts predict that airlines in India are set to capitalise on the rising passenger demand by adding 132 aircraft in FY24. Specifically, Air India is expected to induct 53 aircraft, while IndiGo plans to add 49, as reported by aviation consultancy firm CAPA India in its annual outlook.

While the Adani Group has witnessed growth in passenger traffic and cargo movement, other consortiums are also playing a significant role in India's aviation landscape. The Delhi, Hyderabad, and Goa Mopa airports are managed by GMR Group-led consortiums, while the Bengaluru airport is operated by a Fairfax Group-led consortium. Furthermore, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) oversees the management of more than 130 airports in the country.

With the Indian aviation sector booming and showing strong signs of recovery post-pandemic, stakeholders are optimistic about the industry's growth prospects in the coming years.