India’s domestic air traffic has experienced a notable rise in 2024, with a 6 per cent increase in passenger numbers, reaching 16.13 crore. According to the latest data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), this growth reflects the country’s growing demand for air travel, positioning India as one of the fastest-growing aviation markets globally.
Passenger Growth and Fleet Expansion
The DGCA reported that airlines carried over 1.49 crore passengers in December 2024, marking an 8.19 percent rise compared to December 2023, when the figure was approximately 1.38 crore. Throughout the year, domestic airlines transported 1,613.31 lakh passengers, up from 1,520.32 lakh in 2023, signaling a growth of 6.12 per cent. This surge in passengers has prompted airlines to expand both their fleets and networks to accommodate the growing demand for air travel.
Market Share of Major Airlines
As the domestic air traffic increases, the market share distribution among airlines continues to evolve. In December 2024, IndiGo maintained its dominance with a 64.4 percent share of the market, while Air India secured 26.4 percent. Other players like Akasa Air and SpiceJet held shares of 4.6 percent and 3.3 percent, respectively.
December 2024 saw a dip in On-Time Performance (OTP) across airlines, with IndiGo leading at 73.4 percent, followed by Air India at 67.6 percent. Akasa Air, SpiceJet, and Alliance Air recorded OTPs of 62.7 percent, 61.5 percent, and 55.6 percent, respectively.
In terms of cancellations, scheduled domestic carriers had an overall flight cancellation rate of 1.07 percent. This led to 67,622 passengers being affected, with airlines spending Rs 1.26 crore on compensation and facilities. Additionally, 2,79,985 passengers experienced flight delays, costing airlines Rs 3.78 crore in facilitation.
Denied Boarding and Compensation
The report also revealed that 2,147 passengers were denied boarding in December 2024, with airlines spending Rs 1.76 crore for compensation and additional services. Despite these challenges, the increase in passenger numbers and the growth of the aviation market highlight the resilience and potential of India’s domestic air travel industry.
(With PTI inputs)