Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (MIAL) continued to dominate air traffic in the State, handling 4.39 crore passengers in 2022–23, rising sharply to 5.28 crore in 2023–24 and 5.51 crore in 2024–25.
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS/FRANCIS MASCARENHAS
Passenger traffic at operational airports in Maharashtra has shown a steady rise over the past three financial years, driven largely by Mumbai and Pune, even as several smaller regional airports recorded uneven or marginal growth.
As per the Ministry of Civil Aviation data on total passengers handled indicate that Maharashtra’s airports together handled 5.61 crore passengers in 2022–23, which increased to 6.70 crore in 2023–24 and further to 7.08 crore in 2024–25. In 2025–26 (till October), passenger traffic stood at 4.08 crore, reflecting partial-year operations.
Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (MIAL) continued to dominate air traffic in the State, handling 4.39 crore passengers in 2022–23, rising sharply to 5.28 crore in 2023–24 and 5.51 crore in 2024–25. In the current year so far, Mumbai airport has handled 3.15 crore passengers, accounting for the bulk of the State’s air traffic.
Pune airport remained the second-largest contributor, with passenger numbers rising from 80.07 lakh in 2022–23 to 95.25 lakh in 2023–24, and crossing 1.04 crore in 2024–25. For 2025–26 (till date), Pune has recorded 63.07 lakh passengers.
Regional Airports
Among other major airports, Nagpur saw steady growth from 25.65 lakh passengers in 2022–23 to 28.94 lakh in 2024–25, while Aurangabad handled 7 lakh passengers in 2024–25, up from 4.68 lakh in 2022–23. Shirdi airport maintained stable traffic, hovering around 7.3–7.4 lakh passengers annually over the three-year period.
Several smaller airports recorded sharp but uneven changes. Nashik (HAL Ozar) saw traffic rise from 1.07 lakh in 2022–23 to 3.41 lakh in 2024–25, while Jalgaon and Nanded witnessed sudden spikes in 2024–25 after negligible traffic in earlier years.
The data underline Maharashtra’s growing air travel demand, concentrated around major urban centres, while also highlighting the inconsistent utilisation of regional airports despite infrastructure availability.
Air Cargo Operations
AAI Cargo Logistics and Allied Services Company Ltd. (AAICLAS) is facilitating air cargo operations at Pune, Aurangabad, Jalgaon and Kolhapur airports in Maharashtra. Other airports in the State that handle air cargo include Mumbai (MIAL), Nagpur (MIHAN), Nashik (HAL) and Shirdi, which is operated by the State Government.
At Pune and Aurangabad airports, AAICLAS has set up both international and domestic air cargo facilities. Pune airport has an annual handling capacity of 6,500 metric tonnes for international cargo and 36,300 metric tonnes for domestic cargo, while Aurangabad airport has capacities of 16,400 metric tonnes for international cargo and 14,050 metric tonnes for domestic cargo.
At Shirdi airport, cargo movement is currently supported through belly cargo services. At Jalgaon and Kolhapur airports, domestic air cargo movement is facilitated through the respective domestic passenger terminals.
Published on December 18, 2025
