Ranchi Airport Profit Hits Rs 87.6 Cr on 27 Lakh Passengers

Birsa Munda Airport operates under the Airports Authority of India and has a single runway. A terminal expansion project, budgeted at Rs 450 crore, is in the design phase and expected to break ground in the second half of 2026, the authority said. The expansion would add 40% more floor space and two additional aerobridges.

The airport's financial performance mirrors a broader recovery in regional Indian aviation, where smaller cities have seen disproportionate traffic growth as airlines add capacity outside the metro triangle. Jharkhand's mineral-driven economy has supported steady business travel demand, while leisure traffic to nearby tourist destinations like Netarhat and Betla National Park has added weekend volume.

Operating expenses rose 12% to Rs 92 crore, largely on higher fuel costs and staffing. The airport's EBITDA margin came in at 38%, up from 22% a year earlier, reflecting the operating leverage from higher traffic.

The authority did not provide a formal guidance for the current fiscal year. The next major catalyst for the airport is the terminal expansion timeline, which will determine whether capacity can keep pace with the 15-18% annual passenger growth the region has posted over the past three years.