Why domestic tailed international in 2023 air traffic growth
The growth rate of international traffic at Indian airports has surpassed that of domestic air traffic, as Indians increasingly opt for foreign trips on the back of improved connectivity and relaxed visa norms. A low base effect and more flights available for international travel have also contributed to this trend. As per data from the Airports Authority of India, international passenger traffic handled at Indian airports this fiscal year (April to November) jumped 25.3% year-on-year (y-o-y).
Comparatively, domestic air passenger traffic witnessed a 17.9% increase in the same period. However, domestic passengers outnumber international passengers by a wide margin. The number of domestic air passengers at Indian airports was 100.4 million in April-November, compared to 44.5 million recorded for international passengers.
Industry experts said the higher growth rate is a result of two factors. One, a low base effect, as international scheduled commercial flights resumed operations to and from India with effect from March 2022 after a two-year hiatus induced by covid-19. Two, higher interest among international and domestic airlines to operate more flights to and from India.
Among Indian carriers, market leader IndiGo and airlines from the Air India Group, including Vistara and Air India Express, are expanding in international skies. These airlines carried more passengers as they added flights during the year. Data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) shows that IndiGo registered a 37% jump in international air passenger traffic (including both to and from India) to 2.9 million passengers in July-September 2023, from 2.1 million in the same period a year ago.
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