Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) handled 5,851.74 tonnes of cargo, 2.56 million passengers, and 18,917 Air Traffic Movements (ATMs) during 2025-26, according to the Union Government.

The airport has a passenger handling capacity of 3.2 Million Passengers Per Annum (MPPA), the government told the Lok Sabha on August 6.

Replying to an unstarred question by member Captain Brijesh Chowta, Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said that the airport has been awarded the ACI Level 5 Customer Experience Accreditation, and has been recognized as the World’s Best Airport for Arrivals based on Airport Service Quality (ASQ) survey ratings.

Referring to the expansion plan of the airport, the Minister said that expansion and modernisation of airports is a continuous process undertaken by airport operators based on land availability, commercial viability, socio-economic considerations, and traffic demand, or the willingness of airlines to commence or enhance operations.

Creating skilled manpower for aero sector

With regard to aviation skilling and maintenance eco system, the Minister said that, as part of the Union Budget 2026-27, ‘nil’ Basic Customs Duty (BCD) has been provided on components or parts, including engines, for the manufacture of aircraft and the manufacture of parts required for such aircraft. Further, the BCD exemption on parts, testing equipment, tools and tool-kits required for aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) has been extended till March 31, 2028. As a result of these initiatives, the number of domestic MROs in India has increased from 96 in 2014 to 164 as of March 2026, he said.

Training programmes for aviation manpower are aligned with the DGCA-approved training and procedures manual, emerging skill requirements of the aviation sector through active collaboration with industry stakeholders, including periodic curriculum revision. Requirements are periodically reviewed by DGCA and are kept in line with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) framework, the Minister said.

To enhance flying hours availability, the inflight visibility criteria has been conditionally revised to 3 Kms from earlier 5 Kms under the Flight Training Circular 01 of 2025, he said.

Published - August 10, 2026 12:22 pm IST