Bengaluru Airport becomes India’s third-busiest for international travel

Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru has claimed the title of India’s third-busiest airport for international passenger traffic, overtaking Chennai and Kochi in October 2024.

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Data from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) shows that KIA handled 4.8 lakh international passengers in October, edging past Chennai's 4.5 lakh and Kochi's 4.1 lakh. Delhi led with 17.5 lakh passengers, followed by Mumbai at 12.5 lakh. The growth marks a significant leap for Bengaluru, which ranked fifth in September 2024 with 4.39 lakh international travelers.

Compared to October 2023, when KIA saw 3.9 lakh international passengers, this year’s numbers reflect a 24.3% increase. Sources from Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL) noted that KIA now connects to 29 international destinations through 34 airlines, contributing to its rising prominence.

In domestic travel, Bengaluru maintained its third spot after Delhi and Mumbai, with 30.8 lakh passengers in October 2024. Delhi handled 46.8 lakh and Mumbai 31.6 lakh. Including both international and domestic traffic, Bengaluru handled a total of 35.7 lakh passengers in October, retaining its position as the third-busiest airport overall in India.

This achievement underscores Bengaluru’s growing importance as a global aviation hub, driven by expanded connectivity and increased passenger volumes across both international and domestic sectors.