Hyderabad:
Global slowdown coupled with problems specific to the aviation industry, may pull down the passenger traffic growth from Hyderabad airport this year, a top official today said.
While the airport registered 13 per cent growth in terms of passenger traffic last year largely on account of domestic demand, maintaining the same pace of growth this year will be a challenging task, said GMR Hyderabad International Airport CEO Vikram Jaisinghani.
"This year from the passenger point of view it does not look as attractive as that of last year. We have (our) own local challenges with regard to the aviation industry which all of you are aware. That will have some impact," Jaisinghani said in a press conference.
"As Indian economy is robust, we don't see much slowdown. But to maintain last years growth rate will be (a) challenge. It might be slightly lower number this year than what we recorded in the last two years. Impact of global slowdown will add to this," he added.
The airport handled 8.6 million last fiscal. Of this, 1.9 million passengers were international. Jaisinghani said the growth in international passenger figures is not much due to capacity constraints.
"Last year we did not see any bilateral agreements (between India and other countries) taking place. Therefore, there were capacity constraints. Airlines did not put more flights because bilaterals did not take place," Jaisinghani said.
He, however, said he expects to see some bilateral agreements staking place this year, which may see some new international destinations being added from Hyderabad airport during winter schedules.
According to him, the airport has made profits last year and is expected to be profitable this year as well.
Meanwhile, Thai Airways commenced its cargo operations from Hyderabad Airport.
The Bangkok-Hyderabad-Frankfurt fright service will mark a new milestone for the airport as this freight service connects the Fareast and European countries directly, the GMR official said.
Hyderabad airport recorded a 15 per cent growth in air freight volumes at 82,000 tonnes last fiscal.
The airport currently handles 250 international and 1,800 domestic flights a week.
While the airport registered 13 per cent growth in terms of passenger traffic last year largely on account of domestic demand, maintaining the same pace of growth this year will be a challenging task, said GMR Hyderabad International Airport CEO Vikram Jaisinghani.
"This year from the passenger point of view it does not look as attractive as that of last year. We have (our) own local challenges with regard to the aviation industry which all of you are aware. That will have some impact," Jaisinghani said in a press conference.
"As Indian economy is robust, we don't see much slowdown. But to maintain last years growth rate will be (a) challenge. It might be slightly lower number this year than what we recorded in the last two years. Impact of global slowdown will add to this," he added.
The airport handled 8.6 million last fiscal. Of this, 1.9 million passengers were international. Jaisinghani said the growth in international passenger figures is not much due to capacity constraints.
"Last year we did not see any bilateral agreements (between India and other countries) taking place. Therefore, there were capacity constraints. Airlines did not put more flights because bilaterals did not take place," Jaisinghani said.
He, however, said he expects to see some bilateral agreements staking place this year, which may see some new international destinations being added from Hyderabad airport during winter schedules.
According to him, the airport has made profits last year and is expected to be profitable this year as well.
Meanwhile, Thai Airways commenced its cargo operations from Hyderabad Airport.
The Bangkok-Hyderabad-Frankfurt fright service will mark a new milestone for the airport as this freight service connects the Fareast and European countries directly, the GMR official said.
Hyderabad airport recorded a 15 per cent growth in air freight volumes at 82,000 tonnes last fiscal.
The airport currently handles 250 international and 1,800 domestic flights a week.
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