Indian Airports Archives - Aviation Today

New Delhi, India: India’s aviation industry is bracing for a difficult FY2026, with ICRA estimating sector-wide losses to climb to Rs 95–105 billion, almost double the Rs 55 billion loss expected in FY2025. Softening passenger growth, upcoming fleet inductions and ongoing global and domestic disruptions are set to pressure financial performance. Even so, ICRA has maintained a stable outlook for the year, supported by steady travel demand, though influenced by cross-border tensions, accident-related caution and tariff-linked challenges on the commercial side. Domestic passenger traffic in October 2025 reached 142.8 lakh, up 4.5% from October 2024 and 12.9% higher than September 2025. Capacity deployment grew 1.7% year-on-year to 99,816 departures, with passenger load factor rising to 84.7%, compared with 82.4% a year earlier. For April–October 2025, domestic traffic stood at 944.5 lakh, a 1.6% year-on-year increase. ICRA expects full-year FY2026 domestic travel to grow 4–6%, reaching 172–176 million passengers. International traffic carried by Indian airlines rose 5.8% year-on-year in September 2025, touching 28.3 lakh, though sequentially down by 5.7%. In H1 FY2026, international traffic reached 175.6 lakh, marking 9.1% growth. ICRA projects further expansion of 13–15% in FY2026. Aviation turbine fuel (ATF) remains a key cost concern. ATF prices in November 2025 were 4.4% higher year-on-year and 0.8% higher month-on-month. FY2025 had seen average ATF prices fall to Rs 95,181 per KL, about 8% lower year-on-year, but recent months have reversed that relief. Fuel constitutes 30–40% of airline operating expenses, while 35–50% of major costs are dollar-linked. The rupee’s depreciation in Q2 FY2026 led to notable forex losses for several carriers, though most remain unrealised. Fleet shortages persist. Pratt & Whitney engine problems and broader supply-chain delays resulted in around 133 aircraft being grounded across various airlines by March 2025, representing 15–17% of total industry capacity. IndiGo had 70 aircraft grounded in March 2024 due to powder-metal contamination, which reduced to about 40 by September 2025. Go Airlines, hit by similar issues, eventually grounded half its fleet in FY2024 and suspended operations. These constraints have increased operating costs through replacement leases, poorer fuel efficiency and higher spot-rental rates. Despite strong PLFs and firmer yields, profitability remains limited. The industry’s interest coverage ratio is expected to remain at 1.5–1.7 times for FY2026. Large carriers benefit from parent backing, while others continue to face liquidity stress and stretched balance sheets. The DGCA has proposed new passenger-centric norms allowing customers to cancel or modify tickets within 48 hours of booking without charges, provided the travel date is beyond five days (domestic) or fifteen days (international). Refunds are to be processed within 21 working days.

ICRA Warns Of Rs 105 Billion Loss For Indian Aviation In FY2026 Amid Slowing Growth

Aviation Today News Desk / November 21, 2025

New Delhi, India: India’s aviation industry is bracing for a difficult FY2026, with ICRA estimating sector-wide losses to climb to […]

Kolkata, India: A SpiceJet flight operating from Mumbai to Kolkata made an emergency landing at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport late Sunday night after reporting an engine malfunction during descent, officials confirmed. The aircraft, operating as SpiceJet flight SG 670, took off from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (Mumbai) and was nearing Kolkata when the flight crew reported a technical issue involving one of its engines. Air traffic control promptly declared a full emergency, and rescue and fire services were placed on standby. According to airport officials, the aircraft landed safely at 11:38 p.m. (IST) and taxied to the parking bay without further incident. All passengers and crew disembarked safely, and no injuries were reported. The airline did not disclose specific details about the nature of the engine failure. Technical engineers have begun an inspection of the aircraft to determine the cause of the malfunction. No smoke or fire was detected upon landing, according to airport emergency services. Authorities withdrew the full emergency status shortly after touchdown, confirming that the situation was under control. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is expected to review the incident as part of its routine safety oversight, officials familiar with the matter said. Industry experts note that while modern twin-engine aircraft are designed to fly safely on one engine, in-flight engine shutdowns trigger mandatory reporting and inspection protocols under DGCA norms.

Incidents

SpiceJet Mumbai–Kolkata Flight Makes Safe Emergency Landing After Engine Failure

Aviation Today News Desk / November 11, 2025

Kolkata, India: A SpiceJet flight operating from Mumbai to Kolkata made an emergency landing at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International

Mumbai, India: On October 8, 2025, the first phase of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) was inaugurated, marking a significant milestone in India’s aviation sector. Built at a cost of around Rs 19,650 crore under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model by the Adani Group, the airport is expected to ease congestion at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and enhance the city’s position as a global aviation hub. Phase 1 of NMIA features Terminal 1 and Runway 1, equipped with 10 bus gates and 29 aero bridges. The facility is designed to handle 20 million passengers annually, with plans to expand capacity to 90 million in future phases. Its lotus-inspired architecture includes 12 sculptural columns resembling petals and 17 mega columns supporting the roof, reflecting India’s cultural heritage. Situated in Ulwe, Navi Mumbai, about 37 kilometers from South Mumbai, NMIA is integrated with multimodal transport options, including metro, roadways, and public transport systems, ensuring seamless connectivity. The airport also hosts India’s largest aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities, positioning it as a major cargo and logistics hub. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the inauguration ceremony, alongside Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, highlighting the national importance of the project. Chief Minister Fadnavis announced that the first ticket issued from the airport would bear the name of the late D.B. Patil, a prominent farmer leader and legislator. Commercial operations are scheduled to begin in December 2025. NMIA’s advanced facilities, strategic location, and integration with multimodal transport networks are set to transform Mumbai’s aviation landscape. In addition, the 'Mumbai One' app was launched to enhance urban mobility. The platform integrates services from 11 public transport operators across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, allowing seamless travel on trains, metros, buses, monorails, and Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT), which serves around 200,000 passengers daily.

Airports

New Navi Mumbai Airport Inaugurated, Set to Handle 20 Million Passengers Annually

Aviation Today News Desk / October 13, 2025

Mumbai, India: On October 8, 2025, the first phase of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) was inaugurated, marking a

Airports

AERA Proposes Baggage Delays, Dirty Toilets May Soon Cost Airports in Fee Reductions

Aviation Today News Desk / September 17, 2025

New Delhi, India: Indian airports may soon face financial penalties for service lapses such as baggage delays, long queues, and

New Delhi, India: A new report by Knight Frank, forecasts a remarkable rise of almost 50% in India’s annual air passenger traffic over the next five years. Passenger numbers are projected to escalate from 412 million in FY25 to 600 million by FY30. According to the report, this substantial jump will drive a sharp increase in aeronautical revenues, driven by both higher passenger counts and enhanced spending per traveler. A major highlight of the analysis involves non-aeronautical revenue streams which include retail, food and beverage, duty-free shopping, parking, advertising, and real estate leasing. Airports operating under the public–private partnership (PPP) model are pivotal: while they handle 64% of India’s total air traffic, they generate a dominant 87% of the nation’s non-aero revenue. The report also spotlights the performance of India’s busiest airports, Mumbai Airport earns approximately USD 20.1 per passenger from non-aero sources. Delhi Airport closely trails with about USD 18.1 per passenger. These numbers are impressively close to global aviation giants like London Heathrow (USD 21.6) and Tokyo Haneda (USD 19.9). Knight Frank's analysis emphasizes that India’s airports are now at a strategic crossroads. With passenger volumes expected to soar to 600 million by FY30, financial sustainability will increasingly depend on diverse revenue models. The report urges airport developers and operators to move beyond traditional infrastructure approaches and adopt the concept of aerocities integrated commercial hubs encompassing retail, hospitality, leasing, and other services turning airports into urban growth engines, not just transit points. The projected surge in air travel offers both significant opportunities and challenges. Operators must balance capacity expansion with revenue diversification to ensure long-term resilience as passenger numbers climb.

Airports

India’s Air Passenger Traffic Expected to Reach 600M Annually by FY30, Says Report

Aviation Today News Desk / September 5, 2025

New Delhi, India: A new report by Knight Frank, forecasts a remarkable rise of almost 50% in India’s annual air

Airports

BCAS Issues Security Alert for Airports in India Warning of Possible Terror Threat

Aviation Today News Desk / August 7, 2025

New Delhi, India: All airports across India have been placed on high alert following a directive issued by the Bureau

India

Night-Time DGCA Audits Expose Gaps in Aircraft Maintenance, Safety Protocols Violated

Aviation Today News Desk / June 27, 2025

Delhi, India: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has raised safety concerns after identifying repeated aircraft defects and operational

Airlines, Emirates, India, United Arab Emirates

Emirates Crosses 90 Million Passenger Milestone on India-Dubai Route Since 1985

Aviation Today News Desk / April 10, 2025

Picture Credits: Emirates INDIA – UAE: Emirates Airline has achieved a significant milestone, transporting over 90 million passengers between Dubai

India: India’s domestic air passenger traffic grew by 6% in 2024, reaching a total of 16.13 crore passengers, according to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). This growth is an increase from the 15.23 crore passengers recorded in 2023 | Aviation Today

DGCA

DGCA: India’s Domestic Air Traffic Reaches 16.13 Crore Passengers in 2024

Aviation Today News Desk / January 24, 2025

Picture credits: Akasa Air India: India’s domestic air passenger traffic grew by 6% in 2024, reaching a total of 16.13

November 17, 2024 – New Delhi: India's aviation sector reached new heights on November 17, 2024, when it flew 5,05,412 domestic passengers in a single day. This historic milestone demonstrates the industry's resilience and promise as it handles rising demand and difficult obstacles | Aviation Today

Civil Aviation

India sets Aviation Milestone: 5 lakh Passengers in a Single Day

Aviation Today News Desk / November 19, 2024

Picture from Wikipedia November 17, 2024 – New Delhi: India’s aviation sector reached new heights on November 17, 2024, when

Indian Airports

ICRA Warns Of Rs 105 Billion Loss For Indian Aviation In FY2026 Amid Slowing Growth

SpiceJet Mumbai–Kolkata Flight Makes Safe Emergency Landing After Engine Failure

New Navi Mumbai Airport Inaugurated, Set to Handle 20 Million Passengers Annually

AERA Proposes Baggage Delays, Dirty Toilets May Soon Cost Airports in Fee Reductions

India’s Air Passenger Traffic Expected to Reach 600M Annually by FY30, Says Report

BCAS Issues Security Alert for Airports in India Warning of Possible Terror Threat

Night-Time DGCA Audits Expose Gaps in Aircraft Maintenance, Safety Protocols Violated

Emirates Crosses 90 Million Passenger Milestone on India-Dubai Route Since 1985

DGCA: India’s Domestic Air Traffic Reaches 16.13 Crore Passengers in 2024

India sets Aviation Milestone: 5 lakh Passengers in a Single Day

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