It seems that the aviation industry in the country is witnessing a robust growth these days as the Nagpur airport has handled over 25 lakh passengers in the year 2023. Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, Nagpur has handled approximately 28,88,476 lakh air passengers from January to December 2023 (Including domestic and international passengers). According to Airport Authority of India (AAI) portal, the number of air passengers to and fro Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, Nagpur had recorded domestic passengers at 27,85,851 and international passengers at 102,625, respectively. This is a big achievement as compared to the total air passenger traffic in 2022 was recorded at approximately 22,67,622 (Including domestic and international passengers). One of the travel agents on the condition of anonymity, said that the growth in number of air passengers on the domestic front was due to the improved economic scenario.

 

Also, tourism and jungle safaris are attracting tourists to Nagpur from all over the country and also the world. “Apart from this, Nagpur is growing and developing as a major economic hub and attracting huge investments in various sectors. Also, people from the city are visiting various overseas and domestic destinations. This has increased the number of air passengers from the city’s airport,” he said. Another leading travel agent of the city confidently said that the air passenger traffic would reach pre-COVID levels and surpass those levels as the economy grows. The travel agent suggested that domestic airlines should increase the number of flights and routes from Nagpur airport as there is tremendous growth in demand for air travel.

 

He further said that that positive sentiment among the business community and economic growth is likely to continue at a fast pace for some more years. “I think there will be a further growth of 20-25 per cent in the number of air passengers traveling from the Nagpur airport,” he said. The air passenger traffic in and out of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport Nagpur witnessed a sharp reduction from January to December 2020 which stood at 12,06,890 compared to 31,24,675 in the year 2019, a difference of 19,17,785 passengers, he said.