Decline of Rs 13.42 crores in revenue, is this airport in Kerala on the verge of closure?

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kannur Airport, the last airport opened in Kerala is facing a major passenger crisis. The latest figures for the 2023-24 financial year show a 6.7 percent decline in passenger traffic. Kannur's plight comes at a time when international airports at Thiruvananthapuram and Nedumbassery are registering record increases in passenger traffic.

Nedumbassery has become the third busiest airport in India. However, compared to the previous financial year, Kannur Airport saw a decline of Rs 13.42 crore in revenue. In 2023, Kannur Airport handled 11,77,891 passengers. Of these, 4,13,354 were domestic and 7,64,537 were international.

Compared to the 2022 figures, 2023 saw a decline. The airport handled 12,57,086 passengers in 2022-23, including 4,03,995 domestic passengers and 8,53,091 international passengers. The airport recorded a 19 percent decline in international flight operations (from 6,233 to 5,002), but domestic flight operations increased from 5,791 to 5,969. This is one of the main reasons for the decline in passenger numbers.

Meantime, Nedumbassery Airport recorded an 18 percent increase in passenger traffic. It handled 1,03,65,655 passengers this financial year. Of these, 49,20,194 were international passengers and 54,45,461 were domestic passengers. Last year, about 88.12 lakh passengers travelled from Nedumbassery. In 2023-24, 29,502 international flights and 37,967 domestic flights operated. However, in the last financial year, it was 25,724 (international) and 32,554 (domestic). Another major airport in Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, also recorded an increase in passenger traffic. It handled 44,05,318 passengers this year. Last year, it was 34,78,067. The number of domestic passengers increased from 16,79,385 to 23,55,100, while the number of international passengers increased from 17,98,682 to 20,50,218.

In terms of revenue, Nedumbassery earned Rs 2,933.59 crore from operations in 2023-24. This is a 10.2 percent increase from Rs 2,662.3 crore in 2022-23. Meanwhile, the operating income of Kannur airport decreased from Rs 112.66 crore to Rs 99.24 crore. This is stated in the financial review report for 2024. The figures for Kozhikode airport are not included in the report.