Passenger traffic at Indian airports fell 4.4 per cent on year on year basis to 34.5 million in March dragged down by 18.5 per cent drop in international volume, data compiled by Airports Authority of India (AAI) shows.
While domestic traffic declined by 1.3 per cent to 29.1 million, international footfalls fell sharply by 18.5 per cent to 5.3 million as a consequence of the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
Previously a decline in traffic was registered last December due to disruption of IndiGo’s flights.
Airspace Curbs
Among the country’s ten busiest airports - only Pune showed a growth of 8.1 per cent in traffic (domestic plus international). Growth at Bengaluru was flat while Delhi airport showed minor 0.2 per cent decline in traffic. The biggest drop of 12 per cent in traffic was seen in Hyderabad and Kochi, AAI data shows.
Indian and overseas carriers cut flights due to airspace restrictions last month. Air India Express flew 60 per cent fewer international flights in March on a month on month basis and IndiGo had 35 per cent less flights.
While airspaces restrictions in West Asia are being eased, Indian carriers are still not operating to Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar.
Tense and Muted
Within the international segment biggest percentage drop in traffic was seen at Nagpur (93.7), Kannur (92.4), Goa Dabolim (85.3) and Madurai (84).
While Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram saw 36 per cent and 38 per cent decline in international traffic, Kozhikode saw a drop of 47.4 per cent.
Travel agents say demand for outbound travel in May remains muted with high airfares.
“Demand for domestic travel is at similar level or slightly higher compared to last year but demand for overseas travel is down 25-30 per cent due to higher airfares, rupee depreciation and general safety issues as West Asia remains tense despite ceasefire,” said Rajiv Mehra, General Secretary, Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism and Hospitality
Published on April 24, 2026