Indian airports reported a 53 per cent increase in cargo carried to 1.84 million tonnes for the first seven months of the current financial year (April-October) compared to 1.2 million tonnes in the corresponding period last fiscal.
While domestic cargo movement increased 55 per cent to 673,770 tonnes, international cargo movement increased 52 per cent to 1.2 million tonnes, according to data released by the Airports Authority of India.
International flights increased 69 per cent to 20,400, and international passengers increased to 2.22 million. Domestic passengers flying across airports increased 69 per cent to 17.42 million.
International airports (15) reported a 57 per cent increase in cargo carried to 205,184 tonnes for international freight. Joint venture international airports (7) witnessed a 49 per cent increase in international cargo to 920,715 tonnes.
For domestic cargo, international airports witnessed a 58 per cent increase to 122,896 tonnes.
Chennai, Mumbai airports log over 50 per cent growth in intl freight
Chennai international airport reported a 59 per cent increase in international freight to 169.172 tonnes, and Mumbai airport saw 54 per cent increase to 331,876 tonnes.
Kolkata, Delhi and Bangalore international airports also witnessed over 50 per cent or nearly 50 per cent increases in international freight.
“If you look at exports and the commodity mix, it’s agriculture perishables (26 per cent) with manufacturing, textiles (13 per cent) and pharma and chemicals (16 per cent),” said Satyaki Raghunath, chief strategy and development officer, Bangalore International Airport. “These are headed to the Middle East (28 per cent), Europe (27 per cent), North America (15 per cent), ASEAN nations (10 per cent), Far East (7 per cent) and Africa (7 per cent).”
Varanasi, Mumbai report nearly doubling of domestic freight
Varanasi international airport saw a 95 per cent increase in domestic freight to 2,452 metric tonnes. Mumbai airport reported an 89 per cent increase to 120,962 tonnes.
