Mangaluru International Airport's Records Over 2 Lakh Passengers In October—Here's How Infrastructure Upgrades Made It Possible

Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) capped off 2024 with remarkable growth in passenger traffic, infrastructure development, and sustainability efforts, officials announced on Saturday (28 December).

In October, the airport set a record by handling its highest-ever monthly passenger traffic of 202,892, comprising 138,902 domestic and 63,990 international travelers. This milestone underscores MIA's growing stature as a key regional aviation hub.

MIA’s infrastructure upgrades won accolades, including the prestigious Build India Infra Award 2024 in the innovation category. The award recognized the rapid recarpeting of a 2,450-meter runway completed in just 75 working days.

Utilising a flexible asphalt overlay on a rigid concrete base, the project enhanced safety and operational efficiency, solidifying MIA’s reputation for innovative engineering.

MIA also strengthened its connectivity this year. Air India Express introduced Boeing 737-8 services connecting Chennai and Mangaluru via Bengaluru, while IndiGo increased its direct flights to Chennai. These additions have significantly enhanced travel options for passengers, bolstering MIA’s role as a regional aviation hub.

At Wings India 2024, Asia's largest civil aviation exhibition, MIA was awarded the title of the best airport in the "under 5 million passengers" category. Former Union Minister for Civil Aviation and Steel Jyotiraditya Scindia presented the award, recognising MIA’s passenger growth of 1,927,466 in 2023—a 14.17 per cent increase over the previous year.

MIA also made strides in safety, achieving zero worksite incidents and conducting comprehensive training programs. These efforts align with its Vision 2025 goal of becoming India’s safest tabletop airport.

The airport expanded food, beverage, and retail offerings while introducing the MIA Super App (Adani One), a platform designed to address passenger grievances efficiently. These initiatives reflect MIA’s focus on elevating passenger convenience and satisfaction.