Kannur International Airport sees strong growth in April 2025, Eyes brighter year ahead

Kannur International Airport (KIAL) continues its upward trajectory with a remarkable performance in April 2025, recording a 39% year-on-year increase in passenger volume and a 27% rise in aircraft movements compared to April 2024. A total of 138,769 passengers and 1,054 scheduled movements were handled during the month, signaling a strong recovery and growth momentum.

The Abu Dhabi sector emerged as the top performer, handling 26,481 passengers, reflecting the sustained demand in the Gulf corridor. Notably, passengers from the UAE accounted for 43% of KIAL’s total international traffic for April, underscoring the importance of Middle Eastern connectivity for the airport.

Domestically, Delhi and Mumbai were standout performers, each registering over 11,000 passengers. The launch of a tri-weekly Air India Express service to Mumbai has further strengthened this key route. In addition, Air India Express has introduced new services to Hyderabad and increased frequency to Trivandrum, expanding connectivity to key southern metros and enhancing passenger convenience.

Looking ahead, KIAL is poised for further expansion. IndiGo is set to launch new international services to Fujairah and Muscat by mid-May, followed by Damman in mid-June 2025, enhancing Kannur’s reach in the GCC region.

Additionally, Haj operations are scheduled from May 11 to May 29, during which over 5,000 pilgrims are expected to depart from Kannur for the holy pilgrimage, marking a significant logistical and spiritual milestone for the airport.

Following the challenges posed by the Go First shutdown in FY 2023–24, which had a notable impact on operations and revenues, KIAL has made a strong comeback. The airport recorded ₹187 crore in revenue in the last financial year, and with multiple airline discussions underway — including talks with both existing and emerging Indian carriers — KIAL authorities are optimistic about continued growth and operational turnaround in FY 2025–26.