Bengaluru airport surges ahead overtaking Chennai in international passenger rankings

Chennai International Airport has lost its third-place position in international passenger handling to Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport for the June 2025 quarter, marking a notable shift in South India's aviation landscape.

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Rajesh Hiremath
KIA Bengaluru airport passengers
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Chennai International Airport has lost its third-place position in international passenger handling to Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport for the June 2025 quarter, marking a notable shift in South India's aviation landscape. 

According to data from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), Chennai handled 15.64 lakh international passengers during the first quarter of the current fiscal year, reflecting a modest 6% year-on-year growth.

Fastest-growing major airport in India in terms of international traffic

In contrast, Bengaluru saw a significant surge, processing 17.33 lakh international passengers—a 29% increase over the same period last year—making it the fastest-growing major airport in the country in terms of international traffic.

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The rankings for international passenger movement now place Delhi at the top, followed by Mumbai in second, Bengaluru in third, and Chennai slipping to fourth. Kochi retained its fifth position, while Hyderabad is showing signs of rapid progress and may challenge the rankings in the coming quarters.
Industry analysts attribute Chennai’s decline to its relatively weaker international connectivity. Many passengers reportedly prefer travelling to Bengaluru for better overseas flight options, highlighting a growing concern about Chennai’s limited global network.

While Bengaluru’s privately operated airport continues to expand its international reach, Chennai—managed by the AAI—faces mounting pressure to improve connectivity and infrastructure to regain its competitive position in the international aviation sector.

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Bengaluru airport international passenger Chennai International Airport Kempegowda International Airport Airports Authority of India
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