Leading Indian airports FY 2020, by volume of freight
At the end of the financial year 2020, Indira Gandhi International Airport, serving the national capital region of New Delhi in India, with more than 955 thousand metric tons, was the leading airport in terms of total freight handled. The volume of domestic air freight dropped by around seven percent on a year-over-year basis. The capital’s international airport was also the leading airport in terms of the number of passengers handled.
Industry scenario
India has over 460 airports, of which 125 are owned by the Airport Authority of India. Total passenger traffic across the country was around 345 million in 2019. Aircraft movements also increased during that year. There were more than 2.6 million total aircraft movements in 2019. However, since the shutdown of Jet Airways, the growth rate in the industry has reduced significantly. Even though the departure of formerly one of the biggest private airline companies has opened growth opportunities for other competitors in the domestic market, the pressure on one of the two full-service carriers, Air India, to start international operations has presumably increased.
Outlook
A better cost environment, reduced fuel taxes and more efficient airport regulations are most likely to be the key factors for continued growth of this industry. The government has already taken actions to increase the capacity of existing airports. Projects for the addition of new airports to boost tourism and to facilitate fast and economic travel within the country have also begun.
Industry scenario
India has over 460 airports, of which 125 are owned by the Airport Authority of India. Total passenger traffic across the country was around 345 million in 2019. Aircraft movements also increased during that year. There were more than 2.6 million total aircraft movements in 2019. However, since the shutdown of Jet Airways, the growth rate in the industry has reduced significantly. Even though the departure of formerly one of the biggest private airline companies has opened growth opportunities for other competitors in the domestic market, the pressure on one of the two full-service carriers, Air India, to start international operations has presumably increased.
Outlook
A better cost environment, reduced fuel taxes and more efficient airport regulations are most likely to be the key factors for continued growth of this industry. The government has already taken actions to increase the capacity of existing airports. Projects for the addition of new airports to boost tourism and to facilitate fast and economic travel within the country have also begun.
