Nagpur Airport Passenger Traffic Soars in 2025, Marking Strong Recovery
Passenger traffic at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport in Nagpur has demonstrated a consistent upward trajectory, mirroring the city's rapid economic and infrastructural development. From January to November 2025, the airport handled a total of 26.85 lakh domestic and international passengers, representing a significant increase of 1.73 lakh travellers compared to the 25.12 lakh passengers recorded during the same period in the previous year.
Recovery After 2024 Dip and Current Trends
Following a robust performance in 2023 with 26.47 lakh passengers, the airport experienced a decline of nearly 1.35 lakh travellers in 2024. However, the current year signals a clear and positive recovery, with daily footfall now surpassing 9,000 passengers and approximately 60 flight movements each day. This resurgence underscores the airport's resilience and growing importance in the regional aviation landscape.
Factors Driving the Surge and Challenges Ahead
Officials attribute the surge in passenger numbers to several key factors:
- Rising business travel due to Nagpur's expanding commercial activities.
- Increased tourism as the city gains prominence as a destination.
- Heightened political activity leveraging Nagpur's central location.
Nagpur's strategic central position continues to solidify its status as a key aviation hub, fostering consistent growth in air traffic. Despite this progress, challenges persist, including delays in airport expansion projects and limited direct connectivity on certain routes. Aviation experts suggest that passenger numbers could experience a sharp rise if more point-to-point flights are introduced, enhancing accessibility and convenience for travellers.
Current Connectivity and Flight Frequency
Currently, Nagpur boasts direct air links to major cities across India and international destinations. The airport connects to:
- Domestic cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Indore, Goa, and Kishangarh.
- International connections: Sharjah and Doha.
Among these, Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, and Bengaluru account for the highest flight frequency, highlighting their pivotal role in Nagpur's air traffic network.
Monthly Data and Future Outlook
Month-wise data for 2025 shows fluctuations throughout most of the year, but November recorded a strong rebound with over 2.8 lakh passengers. This performance reinforces optimism about a major growth phase ahead, suggesting that Nagpur Airport is poised for continued expansion and increased passenger volumes in the coming months.
