Kish International Airport operated 19,460 takeoffs and landings during the first 10 months of the current Iranian year (March 21, 2019-Jan. 20), which indicates a 4% increase compared with the similar period of last year.
Over 2.51 million passengers were transported to/from the airport during the period, indicating a 9% rise year-on-year.
A total of 26,658 tons of cargos were handled during the same period, up by 7% compared with the corresponding period of last year, IAC's latest report published on its website shows.
The airport operated 18,894 domestic flights during the 10-month period, up 5% YOY. More than 2.48 million passengers and 26,146 tons of cargo were transported domestically, both indicating a 9% and 7% rise respectively YOY.
On the international front, the airport operated 566 takeoffs and landings, down by 29% YOY. A total of 37,799 passengers and more than 511 tons of cargo were transported to and from overseas destinations, up 3% and 10% respectively year-on-year.
From the 10th Iranian month's perspective (Dec. 22, 2019-Jan. 20), the airport operated 2,183 takeoffs and landings, which indicates a 2% decline compared with the similar period of last year.
More than 301,417 passengers and 3,215 tons of cargos were transported during the month, indicating a 4% and 8% rise respectively YOY.
The report shows 2,137 domestic takeoffs and landings were registered by the airport from Dec. 21, 2019 to Jan. 20, down 1% YOY. Close to 296,773 passengers and 3,158 tons of cargo were transported domestically, indicating a 4% and 9% increase respectively YOY.
On the international front, the airport registered 46 takeoffs and landings, showing a 42% decrease YOY. A total of 4,644 passengers and more than 56 tons of cargo were transported to and from foreign destinations, indicating an 11% and 28% decrease respectively YOY.
Direct flights between Sulaymaniyah in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region and Iran's southern Kish Island were launched recently.
Operated by Mahan Airline, the flight is operated on Sundays and Wednesdays every week, landing in Kish from Sulaymaniyah at 10:50 a.m. while leaving Kish International Airport for the Kurdish city at 11:50 a.m. local time, Director General of Kish Airports Company Ezzatollah Mohammadi told ILNA.
“The flight has been launched with the aim of facilitating travels between the two sides and promoting tourism,” he said.
“Taking this newly-launched route into account, Kish International Airport currently operates flights to 21 domestic and foreign destinations.”
Kish is a 91-square-kilometer resort island in the Persian Gulf, off the southern coast of Iran. It is part of the Bandar Lengeh County in Hormozgan Province.
Located in southern Iran, Kish Island is one of the most attractive tourist sites in the Persian Gulf and a frontrunner in Iran’s tourism industry. It is also among the top tourist destinations in terms of attracting investment.
Kish Island is the third most-visited vacation destination in Southwest Asia, after Dubai and Sharm el-Sheikh. Tourists from many—but not all—foreign nations wishing to enter Kish Free Zone from legal ports are not required to obtain any visa prior to travel.
Owing to its free trade zone status, the island is touted as a paradise for tourists, with numerous malls, shopping centers, tourist attractions, beaches and resort hotels as well as wonderful climate, except during the hot summer.
With about 26,000 residents, the island attracts nearly 1 million visitors each year.
A total of 930,000 domestic tourists traveled to Kish Island during the first half of the current Iranian year (March 21-Sept. 22), registering an 11% growth compared to 835,000 in last year’s corresponding period, according to local official, Mohsen Qarib.
Speaking to Donya-e-Eqtesad newspaper, he explained that the cost of traveling to Kish Island has gone up this year compared with last year, mainly due to the rise in airplane ticket fares.
Referring to reasons behind the increase in the number of tourists, he noted that the main reason lies in the fact that many Iranians who used to travel overseas can no longer afford to do so and hence switched to domestic destinations for vacationing.
According to the official, currently 15,000 beds are available for tourists in the island’s 53 hotels.
Qarib said Kish Island will be facing a shortage of accommodation in the second half, as the number of tourists tends to double when climatic conditions improve in autumn and winter.
