Picture credits: Akasa Air
India: India’s domestic air passenger traffic grew by 6% in 2024, reaching a total of 16.13 crore passengers, according to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). This growth is an increase from the 15.23 crore passengers recorded in 2023.
The report highlights that low-cost carriers (LCCs) accounted for over 70% of the domestic market share, with IndiGo leading at approximately 60%. Air India, Vistara, and other full-service carriers collectively held the remaining 30% of the market.
In terms of operational metrics, the average passenger load factor (PLF) across airlines exceeded 80% for the year, indicating strong demand. The on-time performance (OTP) at four major airports—Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad—averaged 85%.
The number of domestic flights operated in 2024 increased by 8% compared to the previous year, with over 1.1 million flights scheduled across all airlines. Flight cancellations remained below 1%, attributed primarily to weather-related disruptions.
Key regional routes such as Delhi-Mumbai, Bengaluru-Hyderabad, and Chennai-Kolkata saw the highest passenger volumes. New regional connectivity routes added under the UDAN scheme contributed to a 12% increase in traffic from tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
Airport infrastructure also saw significant activity, with passenger terminals in Delhi and Bengaluru expanding their capacity by 10% and 12%, respectively. Additionally, several new airports commenced operations, contributing to better accessibility and higher traffic volumes.
Looking ahead, the DGCA has outlined plans for enhanced safety monitoring, increased airport capacity, and greater regional connectivity as key areas of focus. Several airlines have also announced fleet expansions and additional domestic routes for 2025, indicating sustained momentum in the sector.
The detailed DGCA report can be accessed on its official website.
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