New Delhi: GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd (GHIAL) has steadily witnessed an increase in passenger footfall and Air Traffic Movements (ATMs) over the last few months. The airport witnessed the footfall of over 15 lakh domestic passengers and around 2.7 lakh international travelers, in May 2022. The domestic traffic recovery of Hyderabad airport was 93% of pre-Covid level and international traffic recovery was 86% in the last month.
Acoording to a release by Hyderabad airport authority, Compared to other metro airports in India, Hyderabad airport has the highest international passenger recovery, during April 2021-March 2022 period. In domestic segment, Hyderabad airport's recovery was at par with Delhi International Airport.
With the ease of international travel restrictions as well as the gradual recovery of the Covid-19 pandemic, air travel has been steadily increasing with domestic and international travel picking up across India. The number of domestic passengers in a single day from Hyderabad International Airport crossed 53,000 on May 15, which is 103 per cent of pre-Covid daily average domestic traffic. The airport also recorded the highest number of post-Covid domestic Air Traffic Movements (ATMs) of 401 on May 15 (89% of pre-Covid traffic).
On June 10, the number of international passengers crossed 10,000 in the International pax segment. This is the highest ever post COVID international passenger number at Hyderabad.
Top growth sectors from HYD (domestic) were Delhi (Metro) and Goa (Non-Metro). The Top growth sector (international) was Dubai in the Middle East and Singapore in the Asia Pacific.
The post-Covid growth in the destinations being connected has been remarkable and in the last few months, it has added 15 new domestic sectors. Hyderabad is now connected to over 70 domestic destinations, from the pre-Covid period of 55 domestic destinations. The UDAN initiative, which is aimed to bolster the regional connectivity by connecting underserved/unserved airports in Tier II-Tier III cities has further boosted the connectivity across India.
Pradeep Panicker, CEO - GHIAL, said, "Hyderabad airport has seen a rise in passenger footfall. There seems to be a gradual rebound in aviation travel with declining Covid cases and increasing numbers of vaccinated travellers. With many countries easing restrictions and opening up skies to travellers, we are hopeful that the momentum will continue to sustain. We are all set to give an enhanced passenger service and enable smoother airport operations with the first phase of the expansion all set to commence services. Efforts are on to connect Hyderabad to more destinations across India and the globe.”