Kolkata airport has added 203 weekly departures, equivalent to about 29 flights a day, from October 1 as airlines restore capacity after substantial cuts during the lean season, according to a report by Sanmarg – Kolkata.
The increase at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport is expected to give passengers more flight options to cities across India and other important destinations. It may also improve seat availability on busy routes during the period of rising festive-season demand.
Kolkata airport was among the major airports that saw a significant reduction in flight services during the recent lean season. The report attributed the cuts to lower passenger demand, airline operational decisions and seasonal factors. The reduction affected passengers travelling to and from the city, particularly on routes where flight frequencies were lowered.
With airlines now adding services, most of the reductions made during the lean season are gradually being reversed, the report said, citing people associated with the aviation sector. The 203 additional weekly departures represent a substantial restoration of scheduled capacity from the airport.
The increase is expected to improve connectivity between Kolkata and several domestic destinations. For travellers, additional departures can provide more flexibility in selecting travel times and may increase the number of available options on routes that had fewer services during the lean period. The report did not provide a route-wise breakdown of the added flights or identify the individual airlines responsible for each increase.
The airport serves as a major aviation hub for eastern India. Its passenger catchment extends beyond West Bengal to the Northeast and neighbouring states, making the frequency of flights at Kolkata relevant to a wider regional travel network. Any change in available services therefore affects not only local passengers but also travellers using the airport as an entry or exit point for eastern and northeastern India.
The restored capacity is also expected to support tourism, business travel and other regional economic activity. The report said the increase would strengthen the airport’s ability to handle higher passenger demand during the festive season, although it did not provide a forecast for passenger numbers or detail how the additional departures would be distributed across destinations.
The development follows a period in which airlines adjusted operations in response to seasonal demand and other operational considerations. The latest increase indicates that services are being brought back as the lean season ends. Further details on individual routes, flight schedules and the airlines operating the additional departures will determine how widely passengers benefit from the restored capacity.