Chennai International Airport has reported a robust 8.23 percent year-on-year growth in total passenger traffic during the first half of 2025, bolstered by a sharp increase in domestic air travel. According to data released by airport authorities, a total of 11,742,971 passengers passed through the airport between January 1 and June 30, up from 10,851,944 passengers during the same period in 2024, a net increase of nearly 8.9 lakh passengers.

The domestic sector led the growth trajectory, registering a 10.3 percent rise in passenger numbers. In the first six months of the year, the airport handled 8,693,278 domestic travellers, compared to 7,878,678 during the same period last year. Meanwhile, international traffic saw a modest yet positive increase of 2.57 percent , with 3,049,693 passengers handled, up from 2,973,265 in the corresponding period of 2024.

Flight operations

Flight operations also mirrored the upward trend. Between January and June 2025, Chennai Airport handled 77,748 flights (arrivals and departures combined), an increase of 5,532 flights compared to the 72,216 movements recorded in the same timeframe last year.

Among international destinations, routes to Singapore, Malaysia, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Sharjah, Sri Lanka, London, and Frankfurt saw the highest passenger volumes. On the domestic front, high traffic was reported on services to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kochi, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Coimbatore, and Thoothukudi.

Infrastructure boost

One of India’s busiest aviation hubs, Chennai Airport continues to be a crucial gateway connecting southern India with both major domestic metros and global destinations. Authorities confirmed that infrastructure upgrades and passenger service enhancements are underway to support the rising passenger volumes. Several expansion projects, aimed at improving capacity and passenger amenities, are currently in various stages of execution.

With sustained momentum in travel demand, particularly in the domestic segment, Chennai Airport is expected to further strengthen its role as a pivotal aviation node in the region’s air connectivity landscape.