Hyderabad: Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Shamshabad has rapidly grown into one of India’s busiest aviation hubs, setting new records in passenger traffic during the 2024-25 fiscal year.
The airport registered a 15.20% year-on-year growth, overtaking major metros like Chennai and Kolkata to claim a prominent spot among India’s top airports.
2.13 Crore Passengers in 2024-25
During the 2024-25 fiscal year, RGIA witnessed a total footfall of 2.13 crore (21.3 million) passengers. With the current growth momentum, authorities anticipate the number could exceed 3 crore (30 million) in the upcoming fiscal year.
Strong Finish to the Fiscal Year
The final quarter (January–March 2025) was especially impressive, with 7.4 lakh (740,000) passengers traveling through the airport during this period alone.
On January 18, RGIA hit a new milestone by recording 94,000 passenger movements in a single day, well above its previous daily average of 75,000.
Surpassing Chennai and Kolkata
RGIA surpassed major metro airports like Chennai and Kolkata in both domestic and international traffic. This growth was fueled by its strategic connectivity and increasing preference among international travelers from neighboring states like Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.
Driving Factors Behind RGIA’s Rise
Hyderabad’s growing reputation as a key venue for national and international conferences has also played a significant role in boosting passenger traffic at RGIA.
Expanding International Connectivity
Dubai led the list of international destinations with 93,000 monthly passengers, followed by Doha (42,000), Abu Dhabi (38,000), Jeddah (31,000), and Singapore (31,000), reflecting the airport’s strong global network.
