International passenger numbers at Andhra Pradesh’s airports have fallen sharply in May 2025 compared to the same period last year, with a combined downward trend at Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada airports. Visakhapatnam recorded a steep 51.5% drop, while Vijayawada noted a more modest 10.5% decline, signalling disruption in global connectivity following route withdrawals.
Visakhapatnam International Airport handled only 6,593 international travellers in May 2025, compared with 13,587 in May 2024—a year-on-year drop of more than half. Vijayawada’s Gannavaram Airport recorded 2,796 international passenger movements, down from 3,124 in the previous year. These figures reflect broader international traffic drops in the state’s aviation sector. Year-to-date figures paint a similar picture of decline. Visakhapatnam has transited 16,394 international passengers in 2025–26 thus far, compared with 21,596 in the same period last year—a 24.1% reduction. Vijayawada’s international traffic fell by 8.8%, reaching 5,300 passengers versus 5,812 in 2024–25.
Industry observers attribute the slump primarily to airlines cancelling international services to destinations such as Bangkok and Malaysia at the end of April 2025. These suspended routes were central to AP’s outbound flight network. The stronger decline in Visakhapatnam suggests it was more reliant on these services. Domestic passenger traffic, however, is booming. Airports at Tirupati, Rajamahendravaram, and Kadapa saw surges of nearly 50% compared to May 2024. Overall, AP domestic carriers flew 5.40 lakh passengers across 5,420 aircraft rotations in May 2025, up from 4.27 lakh the previous year. Tirupati alone welcomed 1.06 lakh travellers, marking a 53.7% increase; Kadapa and Rajamahendravaram airports posted 49.1% and 50.4% rises respectively.
Analysts say that while domestic growth boosts intra-state mobility and supports regional economic development, the dip in international flights reflects structural weaknesses in AP’s global air connectivity. The departure of Bangkok and Malaysia routes highlights a critical dependence on specific Southeast Asian gateways. The International aircraft movements also declined. Visakhapatnam registered only 42 international flight operations in May 2025, down from 91 in May 2024—a 53.8% decrease. Vijayawada experienced a slight drop from 20 to 18 flights during the same period. AP currently has three airports with the status to operate international services—Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, and Tirupati—but only the first two handled flights in May. Vijayawada operates a bi-weekly Sharjah service, which partly mitigates losses but cannot fully compensate for suspended routes.
Looking ahead, the scheduled launch of flights to destinations like Abu Dhabi from Visakhapatnam offers some respite. These new services could stabilise international traffic and offer fresh connectivity avenues. But aviation experts note that achieving resilience will require sustained route diversification and encouraging airlines to reintroduce stray Southeast Asian connections, which are popular with both leisure and business travellers. In contrast to the international traffic dip, the rise in domestic travel signals latent potential in inter-state connectivity. More frequent operations and increased seat availability are likely propelling these numbers, indicating that the region’s domestic aviation market remains robust.
As AP navigates this mixed aviation scenario, policymakers face dual mandates: arresting international route erosion and sustaining surging domestic demand—all while aligning with sustainable mobility goals. Rebuilding network diversity will be critical for Andhra Pradesh to reclaim its position in global airways and serve as a gateway for economic expansion. The data offers a cautionary tale: route withdrawals can rapidly erode international volumes, even as domestic travel flourishes. The challenge ahead lies in balancing the two—ensuring that Andhra’s airports are equipped, competitive, and adaptive in a shifting aviation ecosystem.
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