Jaipur: On December 29, 2005, the Sanganer Airport in Jaipur was granted international status. Nearly six years later, Jaipur airport hardly seems to fit the bill for a converging point of international flights.

According to the Airport Authority of India (AAI) traffic statistics, the Jaipur airport hasn't fared well in terms of international passenger traffic, aircraft movement and international freight.

As per AAI data, Jaipur airport reported a decline of 11.8 per cent in international passengers during August 2011 compared to the same period last year.

A 7.3 per cent decline was reported in international passengers during the five month period between April and August 2011 compared to corresponding period in 2010.

Against 18,524 international passengers during August 2010, 16,339 international passengers were reported at the airport in August 2011. International passengers catered by it during April to August 2011 fell to 92,416 from 99,730 during the same period last year.

Jaipur Airport Director RK Singh attributes decline in international passenger traffic to fleet and pilot problems of Air India (which operates flight to Dubai) that led to shortfall of 6,700 passengers and another decline of 1,400 passengers in Air Arabia's passenger load, which operates flight from Jaipur to Sharjah.

Immigration and custom hassles at the Airport have also contributed in declining international traffic, sources said. Three international flights operate from Jaipur connecting the city to Sharjah, Dubai and Muscat.

The misery of the airport doesn't end here. The international aircraft movements reported at Jaipur Airport in August 2011 declined by 33 per cent. Only 140 aircrafts moved in and out of the airport against 208 the previous year.