Agartala's MBB Airport sees 68.53% passenger surge in 11 years
Synopsis
Agartala's MBB Airport has quietly become one of Northeast India's fastest-growing aviation hubs — passenger traffic up 68.53% in 11 years, a new 3-million-capacity terminal live, and a solar roadmap targeting ₹2 crore in annual savings. The numbers reveal how dramatically Tripura's connectivity story has shifted since 2014.
Key Takeaways
MBB Airport in Agartala recorded a 68.53% rise in passenger traffic over 11 years , from 8.9 lakh in 2014-15 to nearly 15 lakh in 2025-26.
Aircraft movements grew from about 7,000 to nearly 12,000 annually; the airport now handles around 35 movements daily.
A new Integrated Terminal Building can handle 3 million passengers annually, with 4 boarding bridges and 7 parking bays.
A domestic cargo terminal commissioned in 2025 has an annual capacity of 40,000 tonnes .
Solar installations are expected to generate 21 lakh units of green energy annually and save nearly ₹2 crore in power costs by 2027 .
The airport is now the second busiest in the Northeast, after Guwahati's Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport.
Maharaja Bir Bikram (MBB) Airport in Agartala has recorded a 68.53% rise in passenger traffic over the past 11 years, with footfall climbing from roughly 8.9 lakh in 2014-15 to nearly 15 lakh in 2025-26, airport officials said on Saturday, 13 June. The growth cements the airport's position as the second busiest in the Northeast, reflecting a broader transformation of Tripura's aviation and logistics landscape.
Traffic and Connectivity Growth
MBB Airport Director K.M. Nehra said aircraft movements more than doubled over the same period, rising from approximately 7,000 annually to nearly 12,000, with the airport now handling around 35 aircraft movements every day. Where scheduled services were once largely confined to Kolkata and Guwahati, the airport now connects Agartala to Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, and Imphal, among other destinations.
The airport now ranks second in the Northeast only to Guwahati's Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport — a significant leap for a state that was long considered aviation-peripheral.
New Terminal and Infrastructure Upgrades
A new Integrated Terminal Building, inaugurated recently, has expanded the airport's annual handling capacity to 3 million passengers. The upgraded facility includes four passenger boarding bridges, seven aircraft parking bays, two taxiways, and modernised communication and navigation systems. Passenger amenities have also been enhanced through the rollout of Digi Yatra, self-service check-in kiosks, free Wi-Fi, childcare rooms, the Udan Yatri Café, and dedicated outlets for local handicrafts.
Cargo Hub and Economic Role
A state-of-the-art domestic cargo terminal, commissioned in 2025 with an annual handling capacity of 40,000 tonnes, has strengthened the airport's function as a regional logistics hub. The terminal facilitates the movement of agricultural produce, handicrafts, pharmaceuticals, and other essential commodities — sectors central to Tripura's export ambitions. According to Nehra, the airport has evolved into a key driver of trade, tourism, employment, and broader socio-economic development in the state.
Sustainability Initiatives
On the green energy front, a 250 kW solar plant commissioned in 2019 currently generates nearly 2 lakh units of electricity annually. A 60 kW plant became operational in 2025, and a larger 1,600 kW facility is planned for commissioning by 2027. Together, these installations are expected to produce around 21 lakh units of green energy per year and save nearly ₹2 crore in annual power costs, Nehra said.
Role During Emergencies
Nehra highlighted that MBB Airport proved a critical lifeline during two major crises — the Covid-19 pandemic and the severe floods that struck Tripura in August 2024 — ensuring uninterrupted supply chains and supporting relief operations. The airport's resilience during these periods has reinforced its strategic importance beyond routine commercial aviation.
With a 1,600 kW solar expansion and further route additions on the horizon, the airport is positioned for continued growth as Tripura seeks deeper integration with India's national aviation network.
Point of View
Artisans, and exporters, or remain underutilised infrastructure. The Northeast's aviation boom has historically benefited metros more than origin states. Tripura needs to ensure that the logistics corridor serves local produce and not just transit passengers.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much has passenger traffic grown at Agartala's MBB Airport?
Passenger traffic at MBB Airport rose by 68.53% over 11 years, from approximately 8.9 lakh in 2014-15 to nearly 15 lakh in 2025-26, according to Airport Director K.M. Nehra. Aircraft movements also nearly doubled, from about 7,000 to nearly 12,000 annually.
Which cities does MBB Airport in Agartala now connect to?
MBB Airport now offers scheduled services to Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Imphal, Kolkata, and Guwahati. In 2014, flights were largely limited to Kolkata and Guwahati.
What is the capacity of the new terminal at Agartala airport?
The new Integrated Terminal Building at MBB Airport can handle 3 million passengers annually. It includes four passenger boarding bridges, seven aircraft parking bays, and two taxiways.
What is the cargo capacity of MBB Airport's new terminal?
A state-of-the-art domestic cargo terminal commissioned in 2025 has an annual handling capacity of 40,000 tonnes. It is designed to facilitate the movement of agricultural produce, handicrafts, pharmaceuticals, and other commodities from Tripura.
What are MBB Airport's solar energy plans?
MBB Airport currently operates a 250 kW solar plant (commissioned 2019) and a 60 kW plant (commissioned 2025). A 1,600 kW facility is planned by 2027. Together, they are expected to generate around 21 lakh units of electricity annually and save nearly ₹2 crore in power costs.
