Direct Flights See Unprecedented Growth

According to UK-based air consultancy firm OAG, the number of passengers flying directly between India and the rest of the world has reached a new milestone. In 2023, India recorded approximately 65 million international air travellers, with around 37 million opting for non-stop flights, up by 2 million from 2019. This surge reflects a growing preference for direct routes, pushing the proportion of non-stop passengers from 54% in 2019 to 57% in 2023.

Shift in Air Travel Preferences

The rise in direct flights can be attributed to the expansion of international services by airlines such as IndiGo and Tata’s Air India Group, along with the introduction of new carriers like Akasa and additional foreign airlines. This shift in preference is also evidenced by a reduction in indirect travel, with 2.5 million fewer passengers choosing connecting flights, bringing the total to 27 million.

Indian airports are increasingly becoming major transfer hubs, facilitating 1 million passengers connecting to other destinations. Additionally, with direct flights now available from countries like Vietnam and Indonesia to India, the need for one-stop journeys has diminished.

Decline in Indirect Travel Through Gulf Countries

OAG’s report highlights a significant drop in traffic through Gulf countries, which saw a loss of approximately 1 million indirect passengers between 2019 and 2023. In contrast, Indian hubs gained 1 million indirect passengers during this period. This shift is part of a broader trend, with Indian airlines launching 52 new international routes over the past four years, enhancing the country’s global connectivity.

Indian Airlines Capture Larger Market Share

Data from Crisil Ratings indicates that Indian airlines now account for about 43% of the international passenger traffic related to India, a notable increase from the pre-pandemic share of less than 35%. This growth underscores the rising demand for international travel among Indian citizens.

Domestic Air Travel Hits Record High

India’s domestic aviation sector has also seen substantial growth. Between January and June 2024, Indian airlines carried 79.35 million passengers, marking a 4% increase from the same period the previous year. This figure represents the highest-ever domestic passenger traffic for a half-year period, surpassing the previous record of 76.09 million passengers set in 2023. Domestic passenger numbers have more than doubled over the past decade, from 38.83 million in 2015 to the current record.

This surge in both international and domestic air travel highlights a robust recovery and growth in India’s aviation sector, reflecting a strong appetite for global and local travel.