Mumbai International Airport Sees 19% Increase in Air Traffic Towards Southeast Asia After Visa Policy Relaxation

Visa processes for traveling towards Southeast Asia were eased in December 2023. After that in 2024, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai recorded a 19% increase in passenger traffic to Southeast Asia. In 2024, 2.51 million people flew across destinations in Southeast Asia, whereas, in 2023 around 2.10 million passengers traveled to Southeast Asia. This increase reflects a growing demand for travel in that region.

A CSMIA Spokesperson said that the most popular destinations among travellers from Mumbai were: Singapore, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur, which witnessed the highest passenger traffic.

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Mumbai International Airport currently offers connectivity to five Southeast Asian Countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and Vietnam. Over 133 weekly flights help people reach different destinations across these countries.

As per the Airport Data, CSMIA handled over 14,000 air traffic movements between Mumbai and Southeast Asia in 2024, whereas in 2023 they handled only 11,000.

This spike in passenger numbers is attributed to relaxed visa policies introduced by several Southeast Asian Countries. Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam have simplified entry requirements for Indian passport holders. It is boosting air travel toward these nations. Since there was an increase in the number of people boarding flights, the flight frequencies were also increased to accommodate people.

As more people travel for business and pleasure, airport officials have expanded the number of airline options, which has made it simpler to travel between Mumbai and Southeast Asia. Singapore carriers, Air India, IndiGo, Thai Airways, and Malaysia Airlines are among the carriers that fly on these routes.