San Francisco, as the second gateway for Indians in the US after JFK airport in New York, owes its prominence to the expansion and new nonstop flights provided by Air India. Officials visiting Mumbai to explore opportunities in the Indian market revealed that approximately 1,100 passengers travel daily in each direction between San Francisco, the Bay Area, and India.
According to Kevin Bumen, the Chief Financial and Commercial Officer at San Francisco International Airport, Air India has emerged as a standout performer during the pandemic, demonstrating substantial growth and expansion in the San Francisco region. San Francisco International Airport, with its 17 weekly flights, is now positioned as the second-largest gateway for Indian travellers in the United States, trailing only JFK Airport, which operates 21 flights weekly. If United Airlines were to operate at full capacity, San Francisco could claim the top spot, adding 14 flights each week.
Currently, Air India offers nonstop flights from San Francisco to New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore, a development that has been enthusiastically met. Hubertus Funke, the Executive Vice President and Chief Tourism Officer of the San Francisco Travel Association, noted that Indian traveller numbers to San Francisco are approaching pre-pandemic levels. In 2019, San Francisco Airport hosted about 210,000 visitors, and this year, the numbers have reached approximately 211,000 visitors, representing a notable increase.
Moreover, double-digit growth from the Indian market is anticipated over the next few years. The focus of the visit by San Francisco officials was to emphasize India's significance as one of the city's fastest-growing overseas visitor markets, focusing on creating immersive travel experiences and strengthening cultural ties for Indian tourists visiting San Francisco.
In 2022, India ranked among San Francisco's top five visitor markets, welcoming 150,000 visitors. It is projected that visitor volume from India will grow by 34 per cent in 2023, underscoring the strong ties between the two regions. During their stay in Mumbai from October 9 to 10, the delegates met with key stakeholders to explore avenues for mutual understanding, cooperation, and potential future collaborations.
The aim is to foster stronger ties and enhance mutual experience between the two regions, capitalising on India's exponential growth as a visitor market. San Francisco International Airport aspires to be the preferred choice for Indian travellers, emphasising its role as the premier international gateway to the West Coast.
Hubertus Funke mentioned a significant increase in visitor spending out of India, expecting it to reach nearly USD 440 million in 2023, with a 63 per cent increase projected for 2024. The demand for airlift, especially with Air India's expansion in SFO, underscores the substantial potential for future growth in visitor numbers in the coming years.
(With inputs from PTI)