Kannur International Airport sets new passenger record in CY 2025

Kannur International Airport Limited (KIAL) has achieved a significant milestone by recording its highest-ever passenger traffic in a calendar year, handling 1.51 million passengers in CY 2025. This surpasses the previous peak of 1.47 million passengers recorded in CY 2019, which had stood as the highest annual footfall since the airport’s inception. The airport registered a 3% growth over CY 2019 and a strong 16% increase compared to CY 2024, reflecting sustained demand and steady operational growth.

Notably, four months of 2025 rank among the top ten highest monthly passenger footfalls ever recorded at Kannur Airport, underscoring consistent traffic momentum across the year.

International and Domestic Traffic Performance
International operations remained the key growth driver, with 10.51 lakh international passengers handled during CY 2025, marking a 15% increase over CY 2024. Domestic passenger traffic also recorded a healthy rise, reaching 4.58 lakh passengers, a 21% year-on-year growth.

The most consistently high-performing routes from Kannur during the year were Abu Dhabi, Doha, Dubai, Sharjah, and Bengaluru, followed by Muscat, Mumbai, and Delhi, reaffirming the airport’s strong connectivity with the Gulf region and major domestic hubs.

On the airline front, Air India Express and IndiGo together accounted for the entire passenger traffic, with respective shares of 53% and 47%.
 

Financial Milestones
From a financial standpoint, KIAL continues to demonstrate improving financial health. The airport is currently 23% ahead of the previous financial year on a year-on-year basis. Significantly, for the past six months, KIAL has been operating at an operational profit, with its revenues fully covering operational expenses as well as finance costs, marking a key step towards long-term financial sustainability.

Infrastructure Development and Growth Outlook
Key infrastructure initiatives are underway to further enhance operational resilience and capacity. Category-I approach lighting works are scheduled to commence during the year, while the airport’s solar power plant is nearing the final stages of completion, supporting KIAL’s sustainability and energy-efficiency goals.

Looking ahead, Air India Express and IndiGo are set to reinstate flights that were earlier cancelled, during the summer schedule commencing in April, which is expected to further strengthen connectivity. In addition, the anticipated launch of operations by Alhind Air and Air Kerala is expected to reinforce Kannur Airport’s position as a key aviation hub in North Kerala.

At the national level, the gradual improvement in India’s aviation landscape, supported by the delivery of pending aircraft and strengthening of airline fleets, is expected to enhance connectivity across the country. As per ongoing discussions with airlines, Kannur International Airport is well-positioned to benefit from these capacity additions, further consolidating its role as a critical gateway for the Malabar region.