Amritsar Intl Airport hits 3 lakh passengers in Nov, signals recovery
Babushahi Bureau
Amritsar (Punjab), December 30, 2025: Passenger traffic at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport, Amritsar, rebounded to the three-lakh mark in November 2025, signalling a gradual recovery after a sharp mid-year slump, according to monthly data released by the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
The figures are part of an analysis compiled by Sameep Singh Gumtala, Global Convener of the FlyAmritsar Initiative, based on AAI’s official passenger traffic statistics. As per the analysis, total passenger traffic from January to November 2025 stood at 28.77 lakh, reflecting a 6.7 per cent decline compared to 30.85 lakh during the same period in 2024.
Gumtala attributed the decline to a major setback starting in May, when operations at the airport were affected by the India–Pakistan conflict, leading to a temporary closure and prolonged cuts in both domestic and international flight frequencies during the summer months.
The year had begun on a strong note, with passenger traffic registering year-on-year growth of 7 to 19 per cent between January and April. However, May witnessed a steep 43 per cent drop in total passengers, driven largely by a nearly 50 per cent fall in domestic traffic. Passenger volumes remained below 2024 levels until October, before stabilising in November.
In November 2025, total passenger traffic rose to 300,146, marginally higher than 297,130 recorded in November 2024. Domestic passengers increased from 201,125 to 204,087, while international passengers edged up slightly from 96,005 to 96,059 on a year-on-year basis.
Despite lower passenger numbers earlier in the year, aircraft movement data showed a contrasting trend. Between January and November 2025, total aircraft movements declined by 11.5 per cent compared to the same period last year. Gumtala noted that the November rebound despite fewer flights suggests higher passenger load factors, with airlines operating fuller aircraft on reduced schedules.
International connectivity faced multiple disruptions during the year. Air India suspended its Amritsar–London Gatwick service in June following the crash of its Boeing 787-8 aircraft at Ahmedabad, resuming operations only in November. European connectivity was further hit when Neos Air suspended its Milan services from October, resulting in the loss of links to Milan, Rome and Toronto. Additionally, AirAsia reduced and Batik Air (formerly Malindo) suspended services on the Kuala Lumpur route, though AirAsia has since restored its four-weekly winter schedule to 2024 levels.
Domestic connectivity was also affected, with airlines such as IndiGo cutting frequencies on several routes after the conflict. While services are gradually stabilising, Gumtala said domestic route frequencies and aircraft movements remain significantly lower than last year.
Calling the November rebound a positive sign, Gumtala said it bodes well for Punjab’s economy and tourism. However, he stressed the need for terminal expansion and improved public transport connectivity to the airport to sustain growth and position Amritsar as a major air hub in northern India.
The data also highlights that March 2025 was the highest-ever month for the airport, with 343,384 passengers, before operations were disrupted. Although April also recorded higher traffic than the previous year, route suspensions and reduced frequencies slowed the recovery. As a result, Gumtala noted that total passenger traffic in 2025 is unlikely to match or exceed the 34.25 lakh recorded in 2024, despite the recent bounce-back.
Currently, Amritsar is internationally connected to Dubai, Sharjah, Doha, Birmingham, London Gatwick, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok, while domestic destinations include Delhi, Mumbai, Srinagar, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Pune and Kullu.