Amritsar, Dec 30, 2025(Yes Punjab News)
Passenger traffic at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport rebounded to the 3-lakh mark in November 2025, according to recently released monthly data for November by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The figures form part of an analysis compiled by Sameep Singh Gumtala, Global Convener of the FlyAmritsar Initiative, based on AAI’s official passenger monthly traffic statistics.
According to the analysis, total passenger traffic from January to November 2025 stood at 28.77 lakh, down 6.7 per cent from 30.85 lakh during the same period in 2024. Gumtala noted that the decline followed a sharp setback beginning in May, when operations at the airport were impacted by the India–Pakistan conflict, leading to a temporary closure and prolonged reductions in both domestic and international flight frequencies during the summer months.
Passenger traffic had started 2025 on a strong footing, with January to April recording year-on-year growth of 7 to 19 per cent. However, in May alone, total passenger numbers fell by 43 per cent, driven largely by a nearly 50 per cent drop in domestic traffic. According to Gumtala’s analysis, volumes remained lower than 2024 levels through October before stabilizing in November, when total passenger rose to 300,146, marginally exceeding the 297,130 recorded in November 2024. This recovery was supported by increases in both segments, with domestic passengers rising from 201,125 to 204,087 and international passengers edging up from 96,005 to 96,059 year-on-year.
Despite the mid-year decline in passenger numbers, aircraft movement data points to 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 stated that the rebound in November passenger traffic despite fewer flights indicates 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 its Boeing 787-8 aircraft crash at Ahmedabad airport, with service resuming only in November. European connectivity was further impacted when Italian carrier Neos Air suspended its Milan operations from October, resulting in the loss of connectivity with Milan, Rome and Toronto. Gumtala pointed out that AirAsia reduced and Batik Air (formerly Malindo) suspended services on the Kuala Lumpur route, although AirAsia has since restored its four-weekly winter schedule, matching 2024 levels.
Domestic connectivity was similarly affected after the conflict, with airlines including Indigo cutting frequencies on several routes. Gumtala observed that while services are gradually stabilizing, domestic route frequencies and aircraft movements remain significantly lower than last year.
“This bounce-back is positive for Punjab’s economy and tourism,” Gumtala said. “However, to sustain this growth, the airport authorities must prioritize expansion of the terminal building and the Punjab government must provide public transport connectivity to the airport, so Amritsar can fully capitalize on its rising potential as a major air hub in northern India.”
The data also shows that passenger demand at Amritsar airport was strong in early 2025, with March emerging as the highest-ever month, recording 343,384 passengers, before operations were disrupted. Although April 2025 also recorded higher traffic than April 2024, the reduction and suspension of routes and frequencies after May slowed the recovery, as airlines typically take time to redeploy aircraft and restore capacity. Gumtala noted that, as a result, total passenger traffic in calendar year 2025 is unlikely to match or cross the 34.25 lakh
recorded in 2024, despite the rebound seen in November.
At present, Amritsar is connected internationally 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.
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