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Writer's pictureUdaan Federal Aviation

Indian skies set a new record with 500,000 domestic flyers in a day, driven by post-Diwali demand, festive travel, and a steady rise in passenger numbers over recent weeks




#IndianAviation reached a historic milestone on Sunday, carrying over 500,000 domestic passengers in a single day for the first time. A total of approx. 500,000 passengers flew on 3,173 domestic flights, reflecting the continued rise in air traffic. This achievement came after a series of record passenger numbers in the days leading up to it, with figures reaching nearly 500,000 on several occasions in November, according to a HT report.

The surge in travel follows a quieter October and aligns with the post-Diwali travel boom, driven by the wedding season and festive gatherings, rather than the typical holiday travel seen during Diwali itself. This uptick in demand also follows a period of lower profitability for some airlines, like #IndiGo, which reported a loss after seven consecutive profitable quarters, citing a return to more normal fare levels after the pandemic surge.

Despite the high demand, the aviation industry faces several challenges, such as limited flight capacity and operational disruptions. While the number of daily flights has increased slightly in November, it remains below the peak levels seen during Diwali. The merger of Vistara and Air India in mid-November temporarily boosted capacity with larger aircraft, but overall fleet expansions have been restricted due to ongoing issues like the Boeing strike and financial challenges faced by some carriers, including #SpiceJet.

Airlines have responded to the surge in bookings by launching fare sales, which have increased both ticket prices and load factors, benefiting the industry’s bottom line. However, congestion at major airports, delays, and hoax security threats have added to operational costs, which are likely to be passed on to passengers in the form of higher fares.

Looking ahead, India’s aviation sector shows strong resilience. #Government initiatives to modernize infrastructure and the upcoming opening of new airports in #Delhi and #Mumbai are expected to ease capacity constraints and support further growth. While air traffic growth has slowed slightly to around 5% this year, down from its usual pace of doubling GDP growth, the recent milestone provides a psychological boost and sets the stage for continued expansion in 2025 and beyond. As the economy grows, so too does the demand for air travel, offering substantial opportunities for the sector to play a key role in India's broader development.

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