India’s Domestic Air Passenger Traffic Surges in 2023, IndiGo Dominates Market

In a significant boost to the aviation sector, India witnessed an impressive 8.34% year-on-year growth in domestic air passenger traffic, reaching a total of 15.20 crore in the calendar year 2023.

This significant growth marks a promising recovery from the pandemic slump, offering a glimpse into the Indian aviation industry’s resilience and potential. The trend was highlighted in the latest data released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Monday.

Overall Domestic Passenger Volumes Soar

As of December 31, 2022, the total domestic passenger volumes stood at 12.32 crore, indicating a substantial increase over the previous year. The surge was even more pronounced in December 2023, with a remarkable 23.36% rise to 1.37 crore passengers, compared to 1.27 crore in 2022.

Leading Airlines’ Performance in 2023

1. IndiGo: Dominance with 60.5% Market Share

Leading the pack is IndiGo, the undisputed king of India’s skies. With a market share of 60.5% and a staggering 9.19 crore passengers flown in 2023, IndiGo solidified its position as the go-to airline for budget-conscious travellers.

2. Air India: Full-Service Excellence

Full-service giants Air India and Vistara also displayed encouraging growth, capturing 9.7% and 9.1% market share respectively. Air India carried 1.47 crore passengers, while Vistara, the joint venture with Singapore Airlines, flew 1.38 crore.

3. Vistara: Steady Growth in Market Share

Vistara, a joint venture between Air India and Singapore Airlines, captured a market share of 9.1%, transporting 1.38 crore passengers during the year.

4. Tata’s AIX Connect Shows Promise:

Tata Group’s foray into the aviation market with AIX Connect proved noteworthy. The airline transported 1.08 crore passengers, grabbing a 7.2% market share in its debut year.

5. Budget Carriers See Varied Outcomes

SpiceJet, another low-cost carrier, maintained a 5.5% market share with 83.90 lakh passengers. However, Akasa Air, the newest entrant, carved out a 4.1% share with 62.32 lakh passengers.

Operational Performance and Customer Feedback

While market share paints a clear picture of dominance, other metrics shed light on individual airline performance.

Akasa Takes Punctuality Crown: Akasa Air, despite being a newbie, emerged as the most punctual airline. On average, 72.7% of its flights from the key metros of Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bangalore took off or landed on time.

SpiceJet Faces Complaint Headwinds: Unfortunately, SpiceJet grappled with the highest number of passenger complaints in 2023, accounting for 422 out of the total 712 registered with the DGCA.

Looking Ahead

The positive passenger growth figures indicate a robust rebound for Indian aviation. As competition intensifies and airlines strive to differentiate themselves, travellers can expect even more competitive fares and improved services in the coming year.

With new entrants like Akasa Air emerging and established players expanding, the Indian domestic air travel market is poised for an exciting future.