Did Chennai Airport Experience an 8.23% Surge in Passenger Traffic in Early 2025?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Chennai Airport recorded an 8.23% increase in passenger traffic in H1 2025.
- Domestic travel was the primary driver of this growth.
- Over 1.17 crore passengers utilized the airport's services.
- Flight operations increased by 5,532 compared to last year.
- Infrastructure enhancements are underway to support rising traffic.
Chennai, July 31 (NationPress) Chennai Airport has witnessed an impressive growth of 8.23% in total passenger traffic during the first half of 2025, compared to the same timeframe last year, largely driven by a significant increase in domestic travel.
Data from airport authorities reveals that 1,17,42,971 passengers utilized the airport's domestic and international terminals from January 1 to June 30 this year.
This marks an increase of nearly 8.9 lakh passengers over the 1,08,51,944 passengers recorded during the same period in 2024, with the domestic sector contributing the majority of this growth.
Domestic passenger numbers soared by 10.3%, with 86,93,278 domestic travellers reported in the first half of 2025, up from 78,78,678 during the same months last year.
The international sector also enjoyed a modest yet positive growth, handling 30,49,693 passengers between January and June, which is a 2.57% rise from 29,73,265 in 2024. Flight operations at the airport experienced a notable increase.
In total, 77,748 flights, including arrivals and departures, were operated from January to June, an increase of 5,532 flights compared to the 72,216 flights managed during the same six-month period last year.
Officials at the airport attribute this rise to enhanced connectivity and increased flight frequencies on both domestic and international routes.
Among international destinations, the highest passenger volumes were reported for flights to Singapore, Malaysia, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Sharjah, Sri Lanka, London, and Frankfurt.
Domestic routes to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kochi, Madurai, Tiruchy, Coimbatore, and Thoothukudi saw significant growth.
Industry analysts indicate that these improved figures highlight the steady resurgence in air travel demand following previous disruptions.
As one of the country’s busiest aviation hubs, Chennai Airport continues to play a vital role in connecting southern India with major domestic cities and international destinations.
Authorities are actively working to enhance infrastructure and passenger amenities to accommodate rising traffic, with several expansion projects underway.
The sustained growth in traffic, especially in the domestic sector, is poised to further solidify Chennai Airport's status as a crucial gateway for travelers in the region.