Indian aviation has reported its best ever half-year traffic, with 7.93 crore passengers between January and June this year, compared to 7.60 crore passengers during the same period last year.
Domestic Aviation Surpasses Pre-Pandemic Numbers
So far, 2023 has been the best ever year for domestic aviation in India, surpassing pre-pandemic numbers by 5.77%. The current numbers are 12.3% higher than those of 2019, the last full year before the pandemic.
June Traffic and Fleet Shortage
While June saw a drop in passengers compared to May, it was still the best ever June for domestic air traffic in India, with 1.36 crore passengers flying. However, there is a severe shortage of planes in the country, holding back growth. Indigo has a fleet of over 350 aircraft, but 70-80 are grounded due to faulty engines. SpiceJet has struggled to resolve issues with lessors or find funds to repair its aircraft, and Aasa Air has not had an induction since February this year. The effective fleet in the country is much less than 800 aircraft registered with commercial airlines.
Expansion Plans
Despite the challenges, India plans to double its number of operational airports to 300 by 2047. Delhi International Airport aims to increase its international passenger traffic handling capacity by 40-50% in the next year.
Airlines’ Growth Strategies
Indigo, India’s largest airline, aims to double its network by 2030 and introduce a new aircraft per week to expand domestic and international routes. The Tata group plans to consolidate Air India and Vistara, creating a single stronger airline with Air India’s extensive network and Vistara’s strong brand and service.
SpiceJet plans to connect new destinations, focusing on tourist and religious spots, despite ongoing financial restructuring. Aasa Air is aggressively expanding, having ordered 150 Boeing 737 Max planes, and plans to expand its domestic network by 35% by March 2025 and eye international markets.