Delhi: Domestic air travel in India continues to soar, with passenger traffic recording a 4.7% growth in the first seven months of 2024 compared to the previous year, as per the latest data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Over 9.23 crore passengers took to the skies between January and July 2024, up from more than 8.81 crore in the same period last year.
Domestic air passenger traffic saw a 7.33 percent increase on a monthly basis, with 1.3 crore travellers in July 2024 compared to 1.21 crore in July 2023.
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IndiGo, the budget carrier, maintained dominance with an impressive 60.8% market share, ferrying more than 5.61 crore passengers during the seven-month span. The Tata Group-owned Air India followed as a distant second, carrying over 1.25 crore passengers, translating to a 13.6% market share. Vistara, also under the Tata umbrella, secured the third spot with 89 lakh passengers and a 9.6% market share.
AIX Connect, formerly known as AirAsia India and another Tata Group airline, transported 49.89 lakh passengers, capturing a 5.4% share of the market. Meanwhile, SpiceJet and Akasa Air competed closely, with SpiceJet flying 41.78 lakh passengers (4.5% market share) and Akasa Air slightly ahead with 42.38 lakh passengers (4.6% market share).
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The DGCA report also highlighted a few challenges. In July, the overall cancellation rate among scheduled domestic airlines was 1.90%, and the aviation sector received a total of 1,097 passenger-related complaints. The primary grievance cited was related to flight issues, though the data shows that nearly all complaints (1,095 out of 1,097) were addressed promptly.
Despite these hurdles, the industry continues to expand. In June 2024, domestic air passenger traffic saw a 5.76% increase compared to June 2023, with 1.32 crore passengers taking flight. The latest data underscores the resilience and ongoing recovery of the aviation sector in India, as more travellers return to the skies.
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