Mumbai Airport: Domestic Traffic Hits 108 Percent of Pre-Pandemic Levels in August 2023

Mumbai International Airport witnessed an extraordinary revival in domestic air traffic last month, with passenger numbers surging to an impressive 108 percent of pre-pandemic levels from August 2019.

This astounding achievement showcases the resilience of the aviation industry amid challenging times.

In August, the airport was abuzz with excitement as it welcomed over 4.32 million passengers, showing a remarkable 32 percent increase compared to the same month last year. At the same time, international flights took off with a 33 percent year-on-year increase, serving more than 1.1 million passengers.

Mumbai’s skies were a hive of activity, witnessing a total of 20,711 domestic flights and 6,960 international flights in August. Among the domestic destinations, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai were the clear favorites among travelers. On the international front, Dubai, London, and Abu Dhabi held their spots as the most sought-after destinations from the airport.

IndiGo took the lead in the domestic sector with an impressive 48 percent market share, followed by Air India at 18 percent and Vistara at 17 percent. In the international arena, IndiGo continued to shine with a 22 percent market share, closely followed by Air India at 14 percent, and Vistara maintaining a respectable 10 percent share.

Talking about the cargo sector, where the airport experienced a positive surge. Air cargo tonnage grew by 6 percent, with domestic cargo tonnage rising by 3 percent and international cargo tonnage showing an impressive 8 percent increase during August 2023.

Taking a step back, it’s clear that the Indian aviation market has been steadily on the rise since December 2022 when COVID-related restrictions were eased. Last month, the country’s domestic air traffic reached a commendable 12.4 million passengers, marking a remarkable 5 percent increase compared to the pre-pandemic levels of August 2019.

Mumbai International Airport’s remarkable resurgence is like a beacon of hope, signaling brighter days ahead for the aviation industry as it continues to rebound from the challenges posed by the pandemic.