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The Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata has recorded a footfall of more than four lakh international passengers in the past two months – November and December – the highest for this period in the last three years.
According to officials, a heavy rush of passengers is expected at the airport in the next two days due to New Year celebrations.
Sources said that in November, the international terminal recorded 2,00, 286 passengers and in December it recorded 2,06,645 passengers. So, the total footfall of international passengers at Kolkata airport stood at 4,06,931 (till December 27, 2023). The latest data shows that on December 23, 7,123 international passengers arrived and departed from Kolkata airport.
“Due to New Year celebrations and December 31 being a Sunday, the footfall will rise in the next two days,” said an official.
During the same period (November-December) last year (2022), the total footfall of international passengers stood at 3,86, 298.
“The number of international passengers is the highest in the past three years. November and December have been the best performing months. The international traffic we received in November and December is very high. The aviation sector was one of the most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Post pandemic, such high footfalls are positive signs for the aviation industry,” said a senior airport official.
Officials said the number of international passengers who have travelled to and from the Kolkata airport is falling marginally short of what it recorded in 2019, the best ever pre-Covid footfall count.
In 2021, 88,318 passengers travelled through the Kolkata Airport and in 2020, this number stood at 40,407. In 2019, the total number of international passengers traveling to and fro from Kolkata airport was pegged at 5,88,756.
“This is a peak season, Thailand, Malaysia and places in the Gulf are among people’s top travel choices. Countries such as Indonesia and Sri Lanka have visa on arrival for Indians. Many are able to plan trips even at the last moment. Hence, the footfall is high and the ticket prices too,” said Anil Punjabi, a member of the national committee of the Travel Agents Federation of India.
“It is a great news that post pandemic the passenger footfall is breaking records. However, many passengers do complain about flight delays from Kolkata airport but that is for the airlines to look into,” added another travel agent who did not wish to be named.
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