India’s aviation sector is on a positive trajectory, with cumulative market share of airline-wise international passenger traffic data significantly improving over the last year. As per the data released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for April-June (Q2), Indian airlines’ cumulative market share in terms of international passenger traffic rose from 43.9 percent to 45.6 percent in a year.
This growth is significant as compared to pre-Covid (2019) figures when the Indian airlines had a combined international passenger market share of mere 34.7 percent. The total scheduled international passenger traffic from and to India in Q1 was 1.77 crore flyers, 13.3 percent higher on the year and 13.5 higher than the corresponding period of 2019, reports Indian Express.
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Domestic airlines IndiGo and Vistara have made significant contributions in rising their market share, with IndiGo’s international market share expanding to 18.3 percent in Q1, up from 17.2 percent a year ago and 9.6 percent in the June quarter of 2019. The international market share of Vistara grew to 4.2 percent from 3.1 percent as compared to the same time last year.
Interestingly, if we pool together the international market share of all Tata Group airlines, the combined international market share was 24.8 percent in Q2, much higher than IndiGo’s 18.3 percent.
In the June quarter of 2019, the airline was under government control and had an international market share of 11.6 percent. Its sister airline, Air India Express, was able to expand its international market share to 8.3 percent in Q1 from 7.8 percent a year ago. In the June quarter of 2019, Air India Express’s international market share was 8.1 percent.
SpiceJet’s market share on the international front declined to 2.4 percent from last year’s 2.7 percent. SpiceJet’s international market share was 4 percent prior to COVID-19 in 2019.
If we look at international airlines, Emirates continued to be the largest airline by market share with 7.9 percent, down from 8.6 percent a year back. Etihad, meanwhile, expanded its market share to 3.9 percent from 2.6 percent a year ago.
The above statistics are a clear indication that not only Indian airlines are expanding their routes and capacity in the international market, passengers are equally keen to take full advantage of the overseas flights operated by Indian carriers.
Going ahead, almost all Indian carriers like Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air are planning robust international expansion. Even newcomers like Star Air, Fly91, and upcoming airlines like Air Kerala and Al Hind are planning to expand internationally soon after launch.