Mangaluru (Karnataka), Nov 11 (PTI) Mangaluru International Airport on Wednesday commenced work on the expansion of its integrated terminal, which is expected to increase its annual passenger handling capacity from 2.5 million to 5.2 million by the end of 2029, officials said.
According to a statement issued by the airport authorities here, the expansion involves adding 27,100 square metres of built-up area on the eastern side of the existing terminal and modifying the present 48,574-square-metre facility to accommodate growing passenger traffic.
The airport handled a record 2.55 million passengers in the 2025-26 financial year, exceeding the terminal's originally envisaged capacity of around two million passengers annually, it said.
Passenger traffic has grown by nearly 42 per cent over the last three years, from 1.79 million in 2022-23. The airport expects passenger volumes to grow at an annual compound rate of around nine per cent, crossing four million by 2030-31, the airport authorities said.
The expansion will augment infrastructure for passenger processing, including check-in counters, security screening, immigration, baggage handling and arrival and departure areas, they said.
The project also envisages a public viewing gallery accessible to visitors after security clearance and an open-air recreational area overlooking the airfield and the Gurupura River valley.
A separate multifunctional building is also proposed as part of the development. It will house multi-level parking for more than 800 vehicles, office space, passenger amenities, food and beverage outlets and recreational facilities.
The building will be connected to the terminal through a dedicated pedestrian bridge equipped with travelators and buggy services.
The airport authorities said the expansion was being undertaken in view of the growing importance of Mangaluru as a commercial, industrial, educational and healthcare centre in the region, besides rising demand for air travel from coastal Karnataka.
The augmented infrastructure is expected to improve passenger processing and operational efficiency while supporting the airport's future traffic requirements.
The terminal expansion is scheduled for completion by the end of 2029.
(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)