"The number of domestic air passengers has surged to 15.2 crore by 2023," announced the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Both outstation and domestic flight services were halted during the COVID-19 pandemic for two months to control the infection's spread.
In 2020, domestic air passengers dwindled to 6.3 crore. Subsequently, the figures rebounded to 8.4 crore in 2021 and 12.3 crore in 2022. Before the pandemic in 2019, there were 14.4 crore domestic air passengers. The latest data for 2023 shows a record-high of 15.2 crore passengers.
IndiGo secured the top spot in the domestic aviation sector in 2023 with a commanding 60.5% market share. Tata Group-owned airlines, including Air India, held a combined 26% market share, with Air India contributing 9.7%, Vistara 9.1%, and AIX Connect 7.2%. Other players in the market include SpiceJet with 5.5%, Akasha Air with 4.1%, and various companies collectively holding 3.9%.
Despite the growth, more than 3.6 lakh domestic passengers experienced flight delays last month, as per DGCA data. The aviation sector is gradually recovering from the impacts of the pandemic, with passengers showing renewed confidence in air travel.