Ahmedabad Airport Records Sharp Decline in International Passenger Traffic Amid West Asia Tensions

Ahmedabad: Ongoing disruptions in West Asia airspace have taken a toll on international passenger traffic at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International (SVPI) Airport in the city, with data showing a sharp decline in footfall over the past few months.

According to Airports Authority of India (AAI) figures, international passenger traffic at the airport fell from 1.95 lakh in March 2025 to 1.31 lakh in March 2026, registering a year-on-year decline of 32.7%. In April, the airport handled 1.49 lakh international passengers, down from 1.9 lakh during the same month last year, reflecting a drop of 21.9%.

The decline has largely been attributed to airspace restrictions, flight cancellations and schedule disruptions affecting Gulf-bound services, which account for a significant share of Ahmedabad’s international connectivity. Following the escalation of tensions in West Asia earlier this year, several countries in the region imposed temporary airspace restrictions, forcing airlines to suspend, reroute or reschedule flights to key destinations such as Doha, Dubai and Jeddah.

Travel industry representatives said uncertainty surrounding international travel has also affected demand, with many passengers postponing trips due to concerns over delays, rerouting, longer travel times and last-minute cancellations. DeshGujarat