Kolkata Airport Profit 2023-24: Record ₹670 Crore Net Profit Marks Historic Milestone

Kolkata Airport Profit 2023-24 Sets New National Record

Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport has achieved a remarkable milestone by posting its highest-ever profit in the fiscal year 2023-24. With a net profit of ₹670 crore and total revenue of ₹1,578.6 crore, the Kolkata Airport profit 2023-24 figure surpasses all previous records, firmly placing the airport at the top of India’s AAI-operated facilities.

This performance breaks the airport’s previous best, recorded in FY 2019-20, before the pandemic severely disrupted the aviation industry. The airport’s resurgence is not just a story of recovery but of transformation and sustainable growth.

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Kolkata Airport Profit 2023-24 vs Chennai: AAI’s Top Performer

Kolkata Airport has overtaken Chennai Airport by a wide margin in both revenue and net profit among AAI-run airports. Chennai posted a profit of ₹282 crore, less than half of Kolkata’s ₹670 crore. In terms of revenue, Chennai brought in ₹1,212.8 crore, whereas Kolkata earned ₹1,578.6 crore.

This 30% revenue lead and nearly 2.5x profit margin clearly establish Kolkata as the new benchmark for profitability and efficiency in India’s public airport sector.

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The Backbone: Passenger Traffic and Operational Revenue

The primary driver of the Kolkata Airport profit 2023-24 surge is a significant rise in passenger footfall and aircraft movements.

• Total passengers (Jan–Dec 2024): 2.1 crore

• Flights handled: Over 1.5 lakh

• Growth over 2023: 32 lakh more passengers

• Near 2019 peak: Just short of the 2.3 crore record

This surge was powered largely by domestic travel, which accounted for 85% of traffic revenue. However, international routes—particularly to Southeast Asia—also contributed meaningfully. Kolkata’s strategic role as a transit hub for Northeast India amplified its regional importance.

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High Passenger Load Indicates Operational Efficiency

The average passenger load per flight reached 146 in 2024, surpassing 2019’s 143. In comparison, the figure stood at 129 in 2023 and only 123 in 2022. This increase in load factor reflects higher aircraft utilization and efficient scheduling, both of which improve revenue per aircraft movement.

Airport Director Pravat Ranjan Beuria commented that the facility has immense potential:

“The Kolkata Airport profit 2023-24 is our highest ever, and we aim to cross ₹1,000 crore in profit by FY 2025-26.”

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Strategic Investments Fueling Growth

A key pillar of the Kolkata Airport profit 2023-24 success story is heavy investment in infrastructure. The airport has completed and initiated several major upgrades:

Completed Projects:

• ₹329 crore for airside capacity

• ₹247 crore for a new Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower

• ₹70.4 crore for runway resurfacing

• ₹77 crore for a new CISF complex

• ₹9 crore for apron development

Ongoing Projects:

• ₹109 crore terminal expansion

• ₹299 crore domestic cargo terminal

These capital investments have not only increased capacity but also reduced operational bottlenecks, helping the airport handle larger aircraft and more passengers efficiently.

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Sustainability & Solar Initiatives Boost Margins

The airport’s push toward sustainability has also contributed to the impressive Kolkata Airport profit 2023-24. AAI has implemented solar panels and energy-efficient systems, reducing the airport’s carbon footprint while simultaneously lowering energy costs.

Initiatives include:

• Use of renewable energy for lighting and HVAC systems

• Rainwater harvesting and water recycling

• Plans for EV charging stations in the future

These steps align Kolkata with global standards in green aviation infrastructure.

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Non-Traffic Revenue to Play a Bigger Role

While traffic-related revenue (landing, parking, terminal fees) dominates the income stream, AAI is working to raise non-aeronautical revenue to 25-30% of total income.

In FY 2023-24, Kolkata Airport has made notable gains in:

• Retail and concessions within the terminal

• Real estate leasing for lounges and offices

• Advertising revenue via digital and physical displays

• Cargo handling and logistics services

The domestic cargo terminal currently under development will further diversify income and reduce reliance on flight volume alone.

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Recovery Timeline: From Pandemic to Peak

The journey from pandemic losses to the Kolkata Airport profit 2023-24 has been steep:

The consistent growth in the last two fiscal years shows that AAI’s strategy of capital reinvestment and passenger experience improvements is paying off.

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Challenges: Capacity Constraints & Competition

Despite its achievements, the airport faces challenges:

• Runway constraints limit the number of wide-body international flights

• Terminal congestion during peak hours

• Increasing competition from privately operated airports like Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad

However, ongoing expansion projects are directly aimed at resolving these issues in the next two years.

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Future Outlook: Towards ₹1,000 Crore in Annual Profit

Airport Director Beuria forecasts that the Kolkata Airport profit could exceed ₹1,000 crore by FY 2025-26. Enablers of this projection include:

• Full operationalization of the new terminal and cargo facility

• Additional domestic and international routes

• Private airline partnerships and charter operations

• Increased cargo volume, especially via e-commerce

Kolkata’s geographical advantage, connecting the eastern and northeastern states to the rest of the country and Southeast Asia, gives it a natural growth trajectory.

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Conclusion: Kolkata Airport Profit 2023-24 Redefines Public Airport Success

The Kolkata Airport profit 2023-24 is more than a financial headline—it represents India’s aviation sector revival, driven by smart investment, passenger trust, and operational excellence. As AAI plans to replicate this success in other metro cities, Kolkata remains a beacon of what public infrastructure can achieve when guided by clear goals and strategic execution.

As the airport approaches another milestone—₹1,000 crore in profit—its rise is a reminder that state-managed facilities can compete and win in high-stakes sectors with the right roadmap.

Source: ABPLive

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