Key Points
- Domestic air travel hit a record 5,05,412 passengers on Sunday.
- The rise in traffic was due to low fares, long weekends, and the wedding season.
- Airlines operated 3,173 flights with over 90% of seats filled.
- Daily passenger numbers have stayed above 4.9 lakh since Sunday.
- Domestic airlines are flying 150-180 more flights daily than last November.
- Cheaper advance fares for November helped increase demand.
Looma News
Domestic air traffic crossed the 500,000 mark on Sunday, setting a new record for the Indian aviation industry. A total of 5,05,412 passengers flew on 3,173 flights, with airlines reporting over 90% seat occupancy. This surge in travel was driven by a mix of low fares, the long weekend, and the busy wedding season.
Aloke Bajpai, CEO of ixigo, explained that the strong wedding season, combined with discounted fares leading up to November, played a key role in boosting demand. Although there was a dip in travel during Diwali, passenger numbers have bounced back quickly, with daily traffic staying above 4.9 lakh passengers since then.
Besides weddings, the long weekend and the return of travelers from their Diwali vacations also pushed up passenger numbers. On top of that, airlines increased the number of daily flights, which helped meet the demand. Domestic carriers are now operating between 3,150 and 3,180 flights a day, which is about 150-180 more flights compared to last November, according to industry sources. The extra flights and strong demand have helped airlines recover from the dip in traffic during Diwali.
