Domestic Air Traffic Soars Amid IndiGo Setbacks

Domestic air traffic reached 16.69 crore in 2025, despite a decline in December due to IndiGo's disruptions, with its market share dropping. Air India and Akasa Air saw increases. Overall flight cancellations impacted over 10 lakh passengers, leading airlines to pay Rs 24 crore in compensation.

The domestic air travel industry experienced a significant growth of over 3 per cent in 2025, reaching 16.69 crore passengers. Despite this annual rise, the sector faced challenges in December, largely due to operational disruptions at IndiGo, the country's leading airline.

According to data released by the DGCA, IndiGo's market share dropped to 59.6 per cent in December, down from 63.6 per cent in November. This downturn came as the airline canceled a substantial number of flights, affecting its performance. Meanwhile, Air India Group and Akasa Air capitalized on this, increasing their market shares to 29.6 per cent and 5.2 per cent respectively.

December's disruptions also saw a spike in passenger complaints, with over 29,000 grievances reported. More than 10.46 lakh passengers were impacted by cancellations, compelling airlines to disburse over Rs 24 crore in compensation and assistance. The data highlights ongoing challenges within the aviation sector, particularly concerning punctuality and operational reliability.

(With inputs from agencies.)