Media Release

Mangaluru, Oct 30: Mangaluru International Airport Limited (MgIAL), operator of Mangaluru International Airport (IXE) commemorates five years of transformative growth with a focus on safety and operational excellence since its Commercial Operation Date (COD) on October 31, 2020.

Since transitioning to a public private partnership (PPP) with Airports Authority of India (AAI), Mangaluru International Airport has emerged as a model of innovation, safety, and sustainability in India’s aviation sector. The three years of joint management with AAI, which ended on 30 October 2023, set the tone for MgIAL chart a path towards progress.

Pax, ATM & cargo growth

The airport, which handled 0.61 million passengers in FY 2020–21 during the global pandemic, has since handled 2.34 million passengers in FY 2024–25. This represents a growth of 281 percent. The airport now connects six domestic metros and seven international destinations, with over 50 daily air traffic movements.

Air Traffic Movements (ATMs) have grown almost three times from 6,664 in FY 2020–21 to 16,816 in FY 2024–25.

The integrated cargo terminal, inaugurated on May1, 2023 has cumulatively processed 11,685 tonnes of international and domestic cargo up to September 2025. International cargo operations, which commenced on July 2, 2024 have brought perishables such as fruit and vegetables to residents in the Middle East. The airport continues to be a leading domestic sender of postal mail in India.

Digitisation

On the digitisation front, the airport has introduced an automated parking system which is integrated with digital payment platforms. DigiYatra now offers passengers the option to avoid queues at passenger processing touch points at the airport. Passenger friendly technology such as e-gates, CUSS machines, and Aviio, a multipurpose app that enhances situational awareness and decision-making for all airport stakeholders, leads the digital charge.

Infrastructure

On the infrastructure front, the airport commissioned the international arrival hall. The airport has undertaken the first-of-its-kind ambitious project of installing a PAL System Category 1 on the runway (RWY) 24 side. The airport has commenced enabling work for the same lighting system on the RWY 06 side. The airport has recarpeted RWY 06/24 – laying asphalt over rigid pavement – and also installed runway centre line lights to further enable safe operations.

Security infrastructure

The airport has enhanced security infrastructure. Installation of Perimeter Intrusion Detection System, bollards and tyre killers at airside entry gates, inducting bullet resistant vehicles for use by Airport Security Group of CISF, state-of-the-art bomb detection and disposal system, commissioning of training ground for their Quick Reaction Team, has given a distinct striking edge to personnel of central paramilitary force responsible for the security of this public asset in dealing with security related exigencies.

Awards

In July 2025, the airport earned Level 4 accreditation from Airports Council International (ACI), joining an elite group of global airports with embedded customer-centricity. The airport has carved a niche for itself at the Quality Circle Forum of India Conventions. In 2025, at the 34th edition of the Convention, teams from Mangaluru International Airport won Gold Awards for Kaizen-based projects.

ACI has recognised the airport as ‘Best Airport at Arrivals Globally’ at the 2024 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards. The airport has received the British Safety Council’s International Safety Award 2024 (Distinction category) and the Apex India OHS Platinum Award for its zero-incident safety culture.

Sustainability

On the environmental front, the airport has undertaken initiatives including planting saplings on important occasions. Beach clean-up drives and rearing of Miyawaki forest at the Precision Approach Lighting (PAL) system work site, stands testimony to the airport’s green resolve. The airport is also working to achieve zero waste-to-landfill certification. Furthering its green endeavour, the airport has transitioned to 100 percent LED lighting. It has launched e-Cab services as a sustainable transport option for passengers.

This PPP mode of development as per the Concession Agreement, which is applicable for 50 years, has enabled the airport to adopt the best global safety and security practices, which enable it to deliver a world-class passenger experience.

About Mangaluru International Airport Limited (MgIAL)

Mangaluru International Airport Limited (MgIAL) is a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL), the flagship of the globally diversified Adani Group, and the largest private operator of seven functional airports in India through Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL). AAHL holds a 49 per cent stake, while AEL, the parent company, holds the majority 51 per cent stake in MgIAL. MgIAL operates and is modernising Mangaluru International Airport (IXE), a major aviation hub in Mangaluru, Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka.

Mangaluru International Airport, Mangaluru (IATA: IXE ICAO: VOML)

Mangaluru International Airport, with a rich history of over 70 years, is spread over 583.77 acres and holds the distinction of being Karnataka’s second busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic, having managed 2.32 million passengers in FY 2024–25. The airport, which is the first in Karnataka to have two runways, including one made of rigid pavement and overlaid with asphalt, currently caters to over 55 air traffic movements (ATMs) every day.

With a digital-first approach, the airport delivers a smooth experience for passengers through advanced technology and efficient operations. As an emerging cargo hub, IXE manages air cargo of over 5,600 metric tonnes per annum.

In July 2025, Airports Council International (ACI) awarded IXE Level 4 accreditation for customer experience. The accreditation recognises the airport's advanced practices in service design and innovation, governance, and customer understanding. Mangaluru International Airport was the first Indian airport in the 5 million passenger category to achieve the Level 3 milestone.