Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Hyderabad Airport is set to expand its international network with the introduction of a new direct flight service to Kitakyushu, Japan. This strategic move not only enhances global connectivity but also strengthens the economic and cultural ties between India and Japan. The new route is expected to facilitate smoother travel for business professionals, tourists, and expatriates, further solidifying Hyderabad’s position as a key gateway for international travel. By establishing this direct connection, the airport aims to support increased trade, tourism, and collaboration between the two nations, offering travelers a more convenient and efficient way to explore these dynamic regions.
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy visited Japan, where he toured Kitakyushu and held detailed discussions with Mayor Kazuhisa Takeuchi. Their talks centered on exploring opportunities for strategic cooperation between the two regions.
This diplomatic initiative laid the foundation for future formal agreements and partnerships. Following this visit, a distinguished delegation from Kitakyushu, led by Mayor Kazuhisa Takeuchi, traveled to Hyderabad to participate in the Telangana Formation Day celebrations, marking a significant step in fostering ties between the two cities.
This diplomatic effort set the stage for future formal agreements and partnership frameworks:
During this landmark visit, the Telangana government entered into a wide-ranging Memorandum of Understanding with the city of Kitakyushu, laying the foundation for formal cooperation in key sectors such as environmental sustainability, cutting-edge waste management solutions, and pioneering recycling innovations.
Direct Air Link Plans Unveiled
During the high-level delegation discussions, officials revealed strategic plans to launch a direct air route between Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad and Kitakyushu, Japan.
Chief Minister Reddy highlighted the state’s ongoing commitment to building international alliances, stating that such collaborations pave the way for groundbreaking initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable progress and boosting economic growth across diverse industries.
Global Flight Network
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD) currently offers non-stop services to 20 international destinations across several continents, catering to a wide range of travelers.
The airport’s route network is heavily concentrated in the Middle East, with key connections to Dubai (DXB), Muscat (MCT), Doha (DOH), Abu Dhabi (AUH), Jeddah (JED), Dammam (DMM), Sharjah (SHJ), Riyadh (RUH), Kuwait (KWI), and Bahrain (BAH), primarily serving business professionals and expatriate populations.
Asian routes cover key business centers including Singapore (SIN), Kuala Lumpur (KUL), Colombo (CMB), Dhaka (DAC), Hong Kong (HKG), Bangkok (BKK), and Male (MLE), fostering both trade and tourism links.
In Europe, direct connections are available to London (LHR) and Frankfurt (FRA), while Ras Al Khaimah (RKT) further enriches the airport’s broad international offerings.
Unprecedented Growth
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) achieved remarkable milestones during the 2024-25 fiscal year, recording a notable 15.20% year-on-year growth in overall passenger traffic.
The airport managed a staggering 2.13 crore passengers during this period, showcasing remarkable operational efficiency and surpassing major airports like Chennai (MAA) and Kolkata (CCU), establishing itself as one of India’s foremost aviation hubs.
Passenger Traffic Insights
Dubai remains the leading international destination from Hyderabad (HYD), with a steady flow of 93,000 passengers per month, driven by strong demand from both business and leisure travelers.
Doha ranks second with 42,000 monthly passengers, highlighting Qatar Airways’ effective hub operations.
Abu Dhabi draws 38,000 passengers each month, while both Jeddah and Singapore welcome 31,000 travelers monthly, reflecting consistent demand across various regional markets, including business, tourism, and religious travel.
Growth Forecasts for the Future
Airport officials anticipate that passenger traffic could exceed 3 crore in the coming fiscal year, provided the current rapid growth continues at its present pace.
The introduction of the new Kitakyushu route is expected to play a pivotal role in this ambitious expansion, further reinforcing Hyderabad’s status as one of India’s fastest-growing aviation hubs. It will also significantly boost connectivity between Telangana and key international markets across Asia and beyond.
