Aviation milestone: Indian airlines carry over 500,000 passengers in a day
- IBEF
- November 19, 2024
On Sunday, Indian aviation reached a historic milestone, surpassing 500,000 domestic passengers in a single day for the first time, with 505,412 passengers on 3,173 flights. This achievement follows several record-breaking days earlier in November, with passenger figures hitting 490,000 to 499,000 on various days. The surge follows a subdued October, with post-Diwali travel boosted by the wedding season and festive gatherings, in contrast to the usual Diwali-centric travel. IndiGo, India’s largest airline, reported a loss in Q2 2024 after seven profitable quarters, citing a normalisation of previously high yields. Daily flight numbers in November averaged 3,161, slightly up from October, though still below Diwali’s peak levels. Limited fleet expansion, impacted by issues such as the Boeing strike affecting Akasa Air and Air India Express, has constrained flight additions despite efforts by carriers like SpiceJet to resume operations.
Post-Diwali fare sales have increased bookings, supported ticket prices and load factors and reflected strong demand amid industry challenges. Congested major airports have led to delays and higher operational costs, exacerbated by hoax security threats causing flight diversions. These disruptions could result in higher fares as airlines pass costs to passengers. The merger of Vistara with Air India on November 12 saw capacity enhancements on metro routes with larger Dreamliner aircraft. However, due to capacity limitations, India’s aviation growth, typically double GDP growth, has been restrained at around 5%. Upcoming airports in Delhi and Mumbai are expected to ease constraints, aiding further expansion. The record-setting passenger milestone highlights the sector’s resilience post-pandemic. It sets the stage for sustainable growth, aligning with the country’s economic development trajectory.
Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.
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