Bangalore International Airport experienced an 8% rise in passenger traffic, reaching 43.82 million in 2025, according to Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL). This growth was attributed to increased demand, enhanced international connectivity, and ongoing infrastructure investments. In 2024, the airport had recorded a passenger count of 40.73 million. Additionally, the airport managed 520,985 metric tonnes of cargo in 2025, marking a 5% increase from the previous year.
Air India Express, operated by Tata Group, solidified Bengaluru as its largest hub with around 81 daily departures. The airline also launched new international routes to Dammam, Riyadh, Jeddah, and Kuwait. Meanwhile, IndiGo expanded its international reach by adding Krabi and Riyadh to its destinations. Akasa Air began daily flights to Phuket in October and introduced twice-weekly services to Jeddah in September. VietJet and Vietnam Airlines joined the BLR network with flights to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
Passenger and Cargo Operations Growth
The airport’s air traffic movements peaked at 837 on October 19 last year, with an average daily count of 765 flights throughout the year. This indicates consistent growth in flight activity across the network. The airport also advanced from third to second place among Indian airports for domestic flight operations. International connectivity saw significant momentum, with average daily international departures rising from 38 in 2024 to 51 in 2025, resulting in a 28.7% increase in international passenger traffic.
On November 23, 2025, the airport recorded its highest-ever single-day passenger count of 137,317. The airport was connected to 113 passenger destinations by December 31 last year, including 79 domestic and 34 international cities. The airport also achieved its highest-ever single-day cargo throughput of 2,207 metric tonnes on August 7, 2025.
Strategic Focus on Connectivity
BIAL plans to continue enhancing global connectivity and expanding airline partnerships in 2026. The focus will be on increasing capacity for both passenger and cargo operations to ensure seamless travel experiences and support Bengaluru’s growth as a global aviation and business hub. As of now, the airport is linked to 37 cargo destinations through a network of 15 domestic and international cargo airlines.
Girish Nair, Chief Operating Officer at BIAL, stated that despite challenges in India’s aviation sector during CY 2025, Bangalore Airport maintained operational stability while supporting airline partners and strengthening network connectivity. “What distinguished the year for us was a disciplined and resilient response,” he said.
Nair further noted that the growth reflects not only increasing demand but also the trust airlines and travellers have in BLR Airport as India’s New Gateway. This critical hub is pivotal for Bengaluru’s emergence as a leading global city.
With inputs from PTI
