Mumbai Airport Hits Record High in Passenger Traffic for December 2023

December 2023 marked a historic achievement for Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM), as it registered the highest number of passengers in a single month. With 4.88 million travelers passing through its gates, the airport experienced a remarkable 112% increase compared to December 2019, and a year-on-year growth of 13%.

The peak of this busy travel period was on December 16, with a staggering 165,258 passengers. This remarkable day saw 84,166 arrivals and 81,092 departures, showcasing the airport's growing influence and operational efficiency. The significant rise in traffic is attributed to CSMIA's (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport) expansion to new destinations, coupled with its commitment to exceptional service and hospitality.

CSMIA's impressive performance continued with a dominant 47% of its passenger traffic coming from the Middle East, followed by 28% from the Asia Pacific and 15% from Europe. The most frequented domestic routes included Delhi, Bengaluru, and Goa, while internationally, Dubai, London, and Abu Dhabi topped the list. The airport's leading carriers, IndiGo, Air India, and Vistara, played a pivotal role in achieving these figures.

This record-breaking month is a testament to CSMIA's resilience and dedication to providing world-class services. Despite the challenges, the airport promises to deliver effortless journeys and aims to remain a leader in the aviation industry.

However, amidst these achievements, BOM faced challenges in maintaining on-time performance (OTP). According to the Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DCGA), major airlines at BOM struggled with OTP compared to other major metro airports. Air India, IndiGo, Vistara, and Akasa Air reported over 50% OTP, with Akasa Air leading at 67.1%. Notably, the majority of delays across major Indian airports were due to 'reactionary' reasons such as late aircraft, crew, or passengers.

BOM's record month in December 2023 and its challenges highlight the dynamic nature of the aviation industry, illustrating both the opportunities for growth and the need for continuous improvement in operational efficiency.