BLR Airport handles 17 pc more cargo in CY 2024; expands global network
BLR Airport has experienced significant growth in cargo volumes, processing 496,227 metric tons (MT) of cargo in Calendar Year (CY) 2024—a 17% increase compared to CY 2023. International cargo saw a remarkable 23% growth, totalling 313,981 MT, driven by increased demand for perishables, spare parts, engineering goods and e-commerce shipments. Domestic cargo volumes increased by 9%, reaching 182,246 MT, spurred by seasonal perishable volumes and expanding e-commerce activity.
The Airport’s highest single-day cargo volume was recorded on July 11, 2024, with 1,884 MT processed. The key commodities driving cargo growth included agri-perishables, readymade garments, pharmaceuticals, machinery parts, accessories and spare parts. BLR Airport’s cargo network now includes 12 freighter airlines operating on both domestic and international routes. Key export routes included Singapore (SIN), London (LHR), Frankfurt (FRA), Chicago (ORD) and Muscat (MCT), while top import routes included Shenzhen (SZX), Singapore (SIN), Shanghai (PVG), Hong Kong (HKG) and Frankfurt (FRA).
BLR Airport retains its pole position as the country’s No. 1 airport for perishable exports for the fourth consecutive year. It processed 63,188 MT in FY 2023-24, an 18% growth over PY, handling 28% of the country’s and 44% of South India’s total perishable air cargo.
BLR Airport processed over 10.8 million rose stems, totalling 411 MT, a growth of 14% to previous year. Similarly, mango exports saw a 20% increase to 822 MT and coriander domestic movement was at 5,200 MT with a 53% growth rate.
Connectivity and new routes
As of December 31, 2024, BLR Airport serviced 75 domestic and 30 international destinations, further solidifying its position as a premier gateway for both passenger and cargo traffic in the region. The Airport expanded its global network with new airline partners like Virgin Atlantic, Salam Air, Manta Air and Fly91. The frequency of international flights increased by 21%, with an average of 75 ATMs per day in CY 2024, up from 62 ATMs per day in CY 2023. By the end of CY24, Indigo added 46 international weekly departures from BLR, making up one-third of the total 240 additional international weekly departures from India. This is the highest number of additions in India from any station by Indigo in CY24.
The top domestic routes included Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM), Kolkata (CCU), Hyderabad (HYD) and Pune (PNQ), while the most popular international destinations were Dubai (DXB), Singapore (SIN), Abu Dhabi (AUH), Doha (DOH) and London Heathrow (LHR). The year also saw the launch of several new routes, including domestic destinations like Ayodhya (AYJ), Aizawl (AJL), Deoghar (DGH), Nanded (NDC), Jabalpur (JLR), Dibrugarh (DIB) and Sindhudurg (SDW), as well as international routes to Denpasar (DPS), Mauritius (MRU), Langkawi (LGK) and Dhaalu, Maldives (DDD). These route expansions reflect BLR Airport’s ongoing efforts to enhance connectivity and meet growing passenger demand, said a release.