INCREASE IN INTERNATIONAL AIR TRAFFIC AT KIA

Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) has planned an increase of 17 per cent international Air Traffic Movements (ATMs) over the coming winter schedule. An ATM is defined as either a takeoff or landing at an airport. At the start of winter in 2018, KIA is expected to achieve ATM of about 744 movements per day (659 domestic, 85 international). This is expected to progressively increase to 766 ATMs per day (675 domestic and 91 international). This five-month period will see the hourly runway capacity increase to 40 movements per hour from the existing 38. During the recently concluded Summer Schedule, KIA recorded an average of 691 daily movements (613 domestic, 78 international). The average international ATMs for winter of 2018-19 is expected to grow at 17 per cent over Summer 2018, while domestic movements are expected to achieve a growth of 10 per cent. The overall growth forecast for the forthcoming schedule is pegged at 11 per cent. The increase in the international ATMs will come from the launch of seven new routes and the addition of two airlines during the winter schedule 2018 which has already commenced.

Phuket is a new destination to be served directly from KIA by GoAir. IndiGo, Air India and GoAir will launch additional flights from KIA to eight existing international destinations. IndiGo will operate daily flights to Male, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and Kathmandu; Air India will operate flights to Bangkok and London and GoAir will operate to Male. The schedule also sees the introduction of two new carriers at KIA – Air India Express which will operate a four day a week service to Singapore and Turkish Cargo that will operate twice weekly between Istanbul and KIA.