Sat Feb 14 16:42:05 UTC 2026: ### Thiruvananthapuram Airport Sees Reversal in Passenger Traffic, International Travelers Surge Ahead

The Story:
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is experiencing a notable shift in passenger traffic, with international travelers now surpassing domestic passengers after two years of domestic dominance. This reversal is primarily driven by changing transit passenger preferences and competitive airfares, despite relatively high user development fees (UDF). The airport recorded its highest-ever monthly passenger traffic in January 2026, handling 4,50,090 passengers.

Key Points:

  • In January 2026, international passengers numbered 2.27 lakh, exceeding domestic flyers at 2.22 lakh.
  • A similar trend was observed in December 2025, with 2.18 lakh international and 2 lakh domestic passengers.
  • Pre-COVID-19, international passengers constituted a larger share (56%) compared to domestic (44%).
  • The airport charges a UDF of ₹770 for embarking domestic and ₹330 for disembarking domestic passengers.
  • The UDF for international travelers is ₹1,540 for embarking and ₹660 for disembarking.
  • The airport collected ₹383.26 crore in UDF in 2025.
  • The airport concessionaire paid ₹902 crore to the Airports Authority of India to compensate for COVID-19 losses, being recovered through the UDF.
  • Daily average passenger traffic has surpassed 15,000.

Critical Analysis:
The increase in international passengers utilizing Thiruvananthapuram as a transit hub likely stems from a confluence of factors beyond just competitive airfares, including:
* The ongoing International Conference on Development and Democracy being held in Thiruvananthapuram, as noted in the contextual data. This event would drive up the number of international visitors temporarily.
* The rise of Mumbai as a transit hub previously drawing away international traffic, likely created pent-up demand, and the market corrected.

Key Takeaways:

  • Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is experiencing a significant recovery in international passenger traffic.
  • Competitive airfares remain a crucial factor in attracting transit passengers, despite higher user fees.
  • The airport’s financial recovery from COVID-19 losses is ongoing through the UDF.
  • Efforts to attract more airlines could further reduce fares and enhance traffic.
  • The International Conference might have been a contributing factor to the increase in passenger traffic.

Impact Analysis:

  • The surge in international traffic could stimulate the local economy through increased tourism and business opportunities.
  • Increased revenue generation for the airport will facilitate further infrastructure development and improved services.
  • The airport’s success as a transit hub could attract further investment in aviation infrastructure in the region.
  • A continued rise in passenger numbers is likely to push the airport to pursue expansion projects and technology upgrades to efficiently manage operations.

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