Nagpur Airport Grapples with Severe Flight Disruptions in 2025, RTI Data Reveals
In a stark revelation of ongoing air service challenges, data obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act has exposed significant operational issues at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport in Nagpur for the year 2025. The information, provided by Mihan India Limited (MIL), the joint venture between the Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) that manages the airport, indicates a troubling pattern of cancellations and delays that have plagued passenger travel.
Alarming Statistics on Cancellations and Delays
The RTI response, sought by activist Abhay Kolarkar, details that a total of 579 flights were cancelled throughout 2025. A closer look at the numbers shows that IndiGo Airlines was responsible for the majority of these cancellations, accounting for 493 of the total. This highlights a disproportionate impact from one carrier on the airport's reliability.
Beyond cancellations, the delay figures are equally concerning. The data reports that 2,394 arriving flights and 2,404 departing flights experienced delays, summing to over 2,000 delayed operations. This underscores a persistent and widespread issue affecting both inbound and outbound travel, contributing to passenger frustration and logistical headaches.
Daily Disruptions and Passenger Impact
Flight delays have become an almost routine occurrence at the Nagpur airport, leading to frequent complaints from travelers. For instance, on a single recent day, out of 35 departing flights, as many as 20 were delayed. On multiple occasions, delays affected 10 to 12 flights, often sparking anger among passengers. The trend of last-minute cancellations has also seen an increase, mirroring a nationwide rise in such disruptions that has put air services under scrutiny across India.
Additional Operational Challenges
The RTI data further reveals other critical incidents that compounded the airport's operational woes in 2025. Specifically, 10 flights were forced to make emergency landings due to technical issues or bird movements, while one flight had to be cancelled for similar reasons. These events point to safety and maintenance concerns that require attention alongside scheduling problems.
Despite these challenges, the airport remained active in other areas, handling 1,611 private aircraft and 332 helicopter movements during the year, indicating a diverse range of aviation activities beyond commercial flights.
Robust Passenger Traffic and Financial Performance
Interestingly, passenger traffic at the Nagpur airport remained strong despite the disruptions. The year saw 14,78,723 arrivals and 14,58,383 departures, bringing the total footfall to 29,37,106. This robust activity translated into significant revenue for Mihan India Limited, which earned Rs 163.65 crore. The breakdown includes:
- Rs 33.31 crore from landing charges
- Rs 77.75 lakh from parking fees
- Rs 103.6 crore from user development charges
Expenditure on security was reported at Rs 4.11 crore, reflecting the costs associated with maintaining safety standards amid high traffic volumes.
In summary, the RTI data paints a complex picture of Nagpur's airport in 2025: one marked by severe operational disruptions in terms of cancellations and delays, yet supported by strong passenger numbers and revenue. This dichotomy highlights the urgent need for improvements in flight reliability to match the facility's financial and traffic success.
