Iran Airports Company registered a total of 284,439 takeoffs and landings during the first eight months of the current Iranian year (March 21-Nov. 21), marking a 4% decline compared with the similar period of last year.
More than 35.31 million passengers were transported during the period under review, indicating a 1% year-on-year fall.
Meanwhile, 357,586 tons of cargos were handled during the same period, which shows no significant change compared with the corresponding period of last year, IAC's latest report published on its website shows.
A total of 237,570 takeoffs and landings were registered by domestic flights during the eight-month period, down 3% YOY. More than 28.05 million passengers and 215,000 tons of cargo were transported domestically, indicating no change in passenger transport and a 1% decline in cargo transport YOY.
On the international front, 46,869 takeoffs and landings were registered, down by 10% YOY. A total of 7.26 million passengers and more than 142,585 tons of cargo were transported to and from overseas destinations, down 5% and 2% respectively compared with the corresponding period of last year.
Similar to previous IAC reports, Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport was the busiest Iranian airport during the period with 82,236 takeoffs and landings, registering a 4% decline.
The airport handled 9.8 million passengers, showing a 1% decrease and around 68,893 tons of cargo, indicating no significant YOY change.
Mashhad International Airport was the second busiest airport with 43,501 takeoffs and landings, indicating a 2% YOY decrease. It transported 6.43 million passengers (unchanged YOY) and 60,974 tons of cargos, down 3% year-on-year.
Imam Khomeini International Airport registered 31,072 takeoffs and landings (a 12% YOY decrease), while transporting close to 5.18 million passengers (a 4% decline) and over 102,288 tons of cargos (unchanged YOY). IKIA ranked third on the list of Iran’s busiest airports during the eight-month period.
From the eighth month's perspective (Oct. 23-Nov. 21), a total of 34,613 takeoffs and landings were registered, which indicates a 1% decrease compared with the similar period of last year.
More than 4.26 million passengers and 43,440 tons of cargos were transported during the month, indicating a 3% fall and 5% rise respectively YOY.
The report shows 29,752 takeoffs and landings were registered by domestic flights from Oct. 23 to Nov. 21, up 5% YOY. More than 3.54 million passengers and 27,122 tons of cargo were transported domestically, indicating a 5% and 12% increase respectively YOY.
On the international front, 4,861 takeoffs and landings were registered, showing a 26% fall YOY. A total of 718,015 passengers and more than 16,317 tons of cargo were transported to and from overseas destinations, down 28% and 4% respectively YOY.
Iran Airports Company is an arm of the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, which manages 54 airports across the country.
IKIA's Salaam Terminal Flights to Increase
Imam Khomeini International Airport’s Salaam Terminal will increase the number of its flights to one flight per hour as of the upcoming Iranian year (starting March 20, 2020).
The above remark was made by Ali Rostami, former CEO of Imam Khomeini Airport City Company, during his valediction ceremony held at IKAC on Sunday in the presence of Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mohammad Eslami, IRNA reported.
Following the inauguration of Salaam Terminal in June, five airlines operated flights from the terminal. Currently, seven flights are operated at this terminal, which will soon increase to 15, he added.
Eslami has appointed Mohammad Mehdi Karbalaei as the new CEO of IKAC to replace Rostami.
Karbalaei previously served as the managing director of Etka Chain Store Company.
According to Eslami, more than 90 investors have expressed interest in IKAC Free Trade Zone projects.
According to Mehr News Agency, the minister said the inauguration of Salaam Terminal and expansion of Imam Khomeini Int’l Airport’s Terminal 1 have now paved the way for the airport to operate domestic flights.
"Domestic flights are ready to be operated at IKIA as of the next Iranian month [Jan. 21-Feb. 19, 2020)," he said.
The airport's Terminal 1 has been handling the passenger traffic of international flights over and above its capacity until now.
Domestic flights to and from Tehran are operated at Mehrabad International Airport.
Part of the traffic will now be diverted to Salaam Terminal and domestic flights will be operated at Terminal 1.
Terminal 1 is expected to handle domestic flights between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m., when Mehrabad is barred from operating flights.
Salaam Terminal is Iran’s first smart terminal designed by domestic experts and designers. The terminal has a capacity of transporting 5 million passengers per year. This terminal has increased IKIA's overall capacity by 80%.
IKIA has the biggest share of international flights operated in Iran and Mehrabad the biggest in terms of domestic ones. The former has been distinguished as the third fastest-growing major airport in the world.
A study by Routes Online shows the airport grew in terms of passenger traffic by 48.6% during the first half of 2018 to 3.93 million, helped by Ata Airlines, following the rise in frequencies to Istanbul’s Ataturk.
Operated by Iran Airports Company, IKIA is located 30 kilometers southwest of Iran's capital city Tehran.
IKIA authorities have placed the construction of a third terminal at the airport on their agenda. Iranshahr Terminal’s first phase is expected to be completed in the next five years with a capacity of 25 million passengers per year. The final phase has been planned for transporting 110 million passengers annually.
