Binu Varghese, chief airport officer, Mangaluru International Airport, perform rituals related to groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of integrated terminal on Wednesday
Mangaluru : Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) Wednesday broke ground for a major expansion of its integrated terminal, aimed at increasing annual passenger handling capacity from 2.5 million to 5.2 million over the next three years. The existing terminal, measuring 48,574 sq m and designed to handle approximately 2 million passengers annually, has already surpassed its intended capacity. In the 2025-26 financial year, the airport had handled 2.5 million passengers, reflecting sustained growth in air travel demand. The expansion, on the east side of the existing terminal, will see the addition of 27,100 sq m of space. Passenger traffic has increased by nearly 42% over the last three years, rising from nearly 1.8 million in 2022-23. Based on current trends, passenger traffic is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 9%, crossing the four-million-passenger mark by the 2030-31 financial year. The addition of 27,100 sq m of space and modifications to the existing 48,574 sq m will support projected passenger growth by the end of the current decade and beyond. The terminal expansion project is expected to be completed by the end of 2029, positioning Mangaluru International Airport to meet future demand, while enhancing overall passenger experience and strengthening regional connectivity, a release stated.
Stay updated with the latest Mangaluru news. The expanded terminal will incorporate modern technologies and enhanced infrastructure to deliver greater convenience for passengers while improving operational efficiency for airline partners. The growth is being driven by Mangaluru’s emergence as a key commercial, industrial, educational, healthcare, start-up and business hub in the region. As the headquarters of Dakshina Kannada district, which has one of Karnataka ’s highest per capita income after Bengaluru, the city continues to strengthen its position as an important economic centre. The expansion will create additional space and processing infrastructure across check-in, security screening, immigration, baggage handling and arrival and departure areas. Download the TOI App.