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New Delhi, India: India’s aviation industry is bracing for a difficult FY2026, with ICRA estimating sector-wide losses to climb to Rs 95–105 billion, almost double the Rs 55 billion loss expected in FY2025. Softening passenger growth, upcoming fleet inductions and ongoing global and domestic disruptions are set to pressure financial performance. Even so, ICRA has maintained a stable outlook for the year, supported by steady travel demand, though influenced by cross-border tensions, accident-related caution and tariff-linked challenges on the commercial side. Domestic passenger traffic in October 2025 reached 142.8 lakh, up 4.5% from October 2024 and 12.9% higher than September 2025. Capacity deployment grew 1.7% year-on-year to 99,816 departures, with passenger load factor rising to 84.7%, compared with 82.4% a year earlier. For April–October 2025, domestic traffic stood at 944.5 lakh, a 1.6% year-on-year increase. ICRA expects full-year FY2026 domestic travel to grow 4–6%, reaching 172–176 million passengers. International traffic carried by Indian airlines rose 5.8% year-on-year in September 2025, touching 28.3 lakh, though sequentially down by 5.7%. In H1 FY2026, international traffic reached 175.6 lakh, marking 9.1% growth. ICRA projects further expansion of 13–15% in FY2026. Aviation turbine fuel (ATF) remains a key cost concern. ATF prices in November 2025 were 4.4% higher year-on-year and 0.8% higher month-on-month. FY2025 had seen average ATF prices fall to Rs 95,181 per KL, about 8% lower year-on-year, but recent months have reversed that relief. Fuel constitutes 30–40% of airline operating expenses, while 35–50% of major costs are dollar-linked. The rupee’s depreciation in Q2 FY2026 led to notable forex losses for several carriers, though most remain unrealised. Fleet shortages persist. Pratt & Whitney engine problems and broader supply-chain delays resulted in around 133 aircraft being grounded across various airlines by March 2025, representing 15–17% of total industry capacity. IndiGo had 70 aircraft grounded in March 2024 due to powder-metal contamination, which reduced to about 40 by September 2025. Go Airlines, hit by similar issues, eventually grounded half its fleet in FY2024 and suspended operations. These constraints have increased operating costs through replacement leases, poorer fuel efficiency and higher spot-rental rates. Despite strong PLFs and firmer yields, profitability remains limited. The industry’s interest coverage ratio is expected to remain at 1.5–1.7 times for FY2026. Large carriers benefit from parent backing, while others continue to face liquidity stress and stretched balance sheets. The DGCA has proposed new passenger-centric norms allowing customers to cancel or modify tickets within 48 hours of booking without charges, provided the travel date is beyond five days (domestic) or fifteen days (international). Refunds are to be processed within 21 working days.

ICRA Warns Of Rs 105 Billion Loss For Indian Aviation In FY2026 Amid Slowing Growth

Aviation Today News Desk / November 21, 2025

New Delhi, India: India’s aviation industry is bracing for a difficult FY2026, with ICRA estimating sector-wide losses to climb to […]

Accidents, Aircraft Crashes, India

Trainee Pilot Dies in Solo Flight Crash After Trainer Aircraft Hits Tree in Gujarat’s Amreli

Aviation Today News Desk / April 22, 2025

Picture Credits: News Drum Gujarat, INDIA: Around 12:30 PM, a trainee pilot was killed when a trainer aircraft belonging to

Air China, Boeing, Chinese Airlines

China Suspends Boeing Orders Over US Tariffs, Opens Door for Indian Airlines to Gain

Aviation Today News Desk / April 16, 2025

Picture Credits: Byeangel CHINA: China has instructed its domestic airlines to halt deliveries of Boeing aircraft, escalating tensions in the

Airlines, Emirates, India, United Arab Emirates

Emirates Crosses 90 Million Passenger Milestone on India-Dubai Route Since 1985

Aviation Today News Desk / April 10, 2025

Picture Credits: Emirates INDIA – UAE: Emirates Airline has achieved a significant milestone, transporting over 90 million passengers between Dubai

Nearly 50% Posts Vacant at DGCA, BCAS and AAI Also Face Acute Staff Shortage: Govt Data. To address the staffing crunch, DGCA has hired 107 contractual staff—including consultants, Young Professionals, & FOIs—while BCAS onboarded 14 consultants | Aviation Today

Airports Authority of India, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, DGCA, Indian Aviation

Nearly 50% Posts Vacant at DGCA, BCAS and AAI Also Face Acute Staff Shortage: Indian Govt

Aviation Today News Desk / April 9, 2025

INDIA: India’s key aviation bodies are facing a growing human resource crunch, with nearly half of their sanctioned posts lying

Civil Aviation Minister Flags of HANSA-3 NG Aircraft, May Cut Pilot Training Costs in India . Designed by CSIR-NAL, the HANSA-3 NG is a two-seater trainer set to transform pilot training, costing under ₹3 crore, less than half of imported aircraft | Aviation Today

Aircraft, Pilot Training

Civil Aviation Minister Flags-Off HANSA-3 NG Aircraft, May Cut Pilot Training Costs in India

Aviation Today News Desk / April 5, 2025

Picture Credits: @RamMNK New Delhi, INDIA: On April 3, 2025, Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu announced a technology

A tragic incident unfolded during a night training mission when an Indian Air Force (IAF) Jaguar fighter jet crashed near Jamnagar, Gujarat, resulting in the death of one pilot while another sustained serious injuries. The aircraft, which took off from Jamnagar Air Force base, encountered a technical malfunction mid-flight, forcing both pilots to eject. While one pilot was safely rescued and is receiving medical treatment, the other succumbed to his injuries. This accident adds to growing concerns over the ageing Jaguar fleet, as it follows a similar crash near Ambala just a day earlier. The IAF has launched an inquiry into the cause of the incident, emphasizing the need for urgent modernization of its aircraft.

Accidents, Airplane Crashes

Indian Air Force Jaguar Crashes in Gujarat, One Pilot Dead, Another Injured

Aviation Today News Desk / April 3, 2025

Gujarat, INDIA: In a tragic accident, an Indian Air Force (IAF) Jaguar two-seater fighter aircraft crashed during a night training

19 Year Old Trainee Pilot Injured as Training Aircraft Crash-Lands in Gujarat. A trainee pilot survives a crash-landing after her Cessna 152, belonging to Blue Ray Aviation Private Limited, experiences technical issues. She sustained minor injuries and is stable | Aviation Today

Airplane Crashes, Pilot Training

19 Year Old Woman Trainee Pilot Injured as Training Aircraft Crash-Lands in Gujarat

Aviation Today News Desk / April 1, 2025

Image: @THOMehsana (X) Mehsana, Gujarat: A 19-year-old woman trainee pilot sustained injuries after a trainer aircraft crash-landed in an open

Rome: An American Airlines flight from New York to New Delhi was diverted to Rome after the crew received a bomb threat mid-flight. The aircraft, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, landed safely at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (FCO) in Italy, where extensive security checks were conducted. Authorities later confirmed the threat was non-credible, allowing the flight to resume its journey the following day | Aviation Today

Incidents

Bomb Threat Forces New York-Delhi Flight to Divert to Rome, Escorted by Italian Jets

Aviation Today News Desk / February 24, 2025

Picture credits: Italian Air Force Rome: An American Airlines flight from New York to New Delhi was diverted to Rome

Washington, D.C: India and the United States have announced a new phase of defense cooperation during a bilateral meeting at the White House on Feb 13. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the US officials discussed defense co-production, emerging technologies, and other areas of collaboration | Aviation Today

India, United States

India – US Boost Defense Ties with F-35 Fighter Jets, Advanced Aircraft Procurement

Aviation Today News Desk / February 14, 2025

Image source: Lockheed Martin , F-35 Washington, D.C: India and the United States have announced a new phase of defense

India

ICRA Warns Of Rs 105 Billion Loss For Indian Aviation In FY2026 Amid Slowing Growth

Trainee Pilot Dies in Solo Flight Crash After Trainer Aircraft Hits Tree in Gujarat’s Amreli

China Suspends Boeing Orders Over US Tariffs, Opens Door for Indian Airlines to Gain

Emirates Crosses 90 Million Passenger Milestone on India-Dubai Route Since 1985

Nearly 50% Posts Vacant at DGCA, BCAS and AAI Also Face Acute Staff Shortage: Indian Govt

Civil Aviation Minister Flags-Off HANSA-3 NG Aircraft, May Cut Pilot Training Costs in India

Indian Air Force Jaguar Crashes in Gujarat, One Pilot Dead, Another Injured

19 Year Old Woman Trainee Pilot Injured as Training Aircraft Crash-Lands in Gujarat

Bomb Threat Forces New York-Delhi Flight to Divert to Rome, Escorted by Italian Jets

India – US Boost Defense Ties with F-35 Fighter Jets, Advanced Aircraft Procurement

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