Jet Airways had recorded a larger share in August 2000 (51.41 per cent), September (50.21) and October (46.93 per cent) as against that of Indian Airlines, which registered a marketshare of 44.08 per cent in August, 45.17 per cent in September and 47.68 per cent in October 2000.

From November, when the peak season was just starting, the share climbed up to nearly 50 per cent and in December touched 52 per cent. In January, it is expected to register a 54 per cent share in January 2001.

During April to December 2000, Indian Airlines recorded a loss of Rs 147 crore, though in December, the airline recorded a net profit of Rs 2.35 crore.

Ironically, "The increase in marketshare has come with a decrease in capacity and by holding the price line," company sources said.The passenger load factor of Indian Airlines suffered a setback during the first half of 2000-2001 in the aftermath of the air crash at Patna in July. It started picking up in the second half, from October 2000. The passenger load factor (PLF) of Indian Airlines also improved to 63 per cent in October and total number of domestic passengers carried in October has again become more than passengers carried by Jet Airways. In November and December, the PLF was around 69 per cent and December 70.8 per cent.

During the first 10 months up to October 2000, the average growth rate of the domestic passenger air traffic so far has been 9.8 per cent.The two hikes in aviation turbine fuel have added up input costs of around Rs 380 crore for 2000-2001 on the airline. Sources said that the lower marketshare of IA initially attributes to induction of capacity by Jet Airways and Alliance Air crash at Patna in July 2000 which had an adverse impact on public perception.