Ahmedabad: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in the city recorded a strong rise in passenger traffic in 2025, with total footfall of 13.9 million. This included both domestic and international passengers. According to data from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), total passenger traffic rose to 13.98 million in 2025, up from 12.79 million in 2024. In absolute terms, the airport handled nearly 1.2 million additional passengers over the previous calendar year. Airport officials and travel industry players, attributed the rise to steady economic activity, rising business and leisure travel, and major concerts and sporting events held in the city.“Capacity enhancement and network expansion over the past year played a key role in the rise in passenger footfall at the city airport. Air India Express began its operations from Ahmedabad during the year. Most airlines added frequencies as well as new sectors, while other domestic and international carriers too increased their presence. This improved seat availability and connectivity, particularly to key metros and regional destinations, and drove footfall,” an airport source said.“Improved surface connectivity played a role too, with the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) operating direct bus services from cities such as Rajkot and Vadodara to the airport, making access easier for passengers from across central and Saurashtra Gujarat,” the source further added. Domestic travel continued to account for the bulk of passenger movement, while international traffic emerged as the faster-growing segment with passenger numbers in the latter rising by 13.5% year on year, outpacing overall growth.Virendra Shah, who runs a travel company in Ahmedabad, said, “We witnessed a strong tourism-led rebound. Leisure travel grew, and so did NRI arrivals during the year.”
