Chennai, Coimbatore Airports Lead Passenger Growth In August 2024

In August 2024, Passenger traffic at major airports in Tamil Nadu surged, showing a significant improvement compared to the same month last year.

Chennai Airport led the rise, handling 1,853,115 passengers across both its domestic and international terminals, marking an increase of 90,222 passengers or 5.1% from August 2023's figure of 1,753,115.

Coimbatore Airport also experienced a notable boost with 270,013 passengers, up by 16,199 passengers or 6.4% year-over-year. Tiruchy Airport saw a sharp increase in traffic, registering 168,668 passengers, a rise of 25,564 passengers or 17.9% compared to August 2023. Even Thoothukudi Airport reported growth, with 19,237 passengers, up by 2,711 passengers or 16.4%.

However, Madurai Airport was the exception, recording a decline in passenger traffic. The airport handled 108,944 passengers, down by 5,464 passengers or 4.8% from 114,408 the previous year. Meanwhile, Salem Airport, which had no operational services in August 2023, recorded 10,994 passengers this year.

Interestingly, despite the overall increase in passenger traffic at Chennai Airport, its international terminal saw a dip. International passenger numbers dropped to 486,177, down 8,619 passengers or 1.8% compared to 494,796 in August 2023. This decline has been attributed to customs delays and issues with inspections, leading many international travelers to opt for airports in neighboring cities like Bengaluru, Kochi, Hyderabad, and Thiruvananthapuram for smoother transit experiences.

While most airports in Tamil Nadu experienced a boost in passenger numbers, the challenges faced by international travelers at Chennai Airport highlight potential areas for improvement in customs processes to regain international traffic in the future.