India's domestic passenger market becomes 100 million strong
, ET Bureau|
Jan 23, 2018, 05.29 PM IST
NEW DELHI: Domestic air passengers crossed 100 million for the first time in 2017, shows passenger data released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) today. Data shows that airlines carried 117 million passengers during 2017, a growth of 17.31% over 2016.
During the month of December, domestic air passengers grew by about 17.69% with Indian carriers carrying 11.2 million during the month.
On the back of the increase in number of passengers travelling during the month, all scheduled carriers flew its planes with over 80% of their seats full. Gurgaon based SpiceJet continued to maintain its pole position on the load factor front by flying its planes 95.6% full followed by GoAir, which flew its planes with 92% seats full. IndiGo came close third by flying its planes with 90.8% seats full.
Commenting on reporting highest load factors for 33rd month in a row, Spicejet said: "SpiceJet yet again recorded the highest PLF in the industry. The December 2017 figure of 95.6% reinstates our popularity and showcases us an airline for the customers. This is the 33rd month in a row that SpiceJet has had an excess of 90% PLF, a feat unparalleled in the aviation industry," said Shilpa Bhatia, Chief Sales and Revenue Officer, SpiceJet.
In terms of operating flights in time, Jet Airways performance was the worst among all carriers for the third consecutive month. While Jet operated 52.2% of its flights in time, IndiGo topped the list by operating 81.1% of its flights in time. SpiceJet was second by operating 78.4% of its flights on time followed by Vistara that operated 74.5% flights in time.
IndiGo remained the market leader, in terms of passenger carriage, by flying 39.4% of total passengers during the month of December. Jet Airways followed IndiGo in terms of market share by flying 16.9% of the total passengers flown during the month. The national carrier Air India is the third largest carrier in terms of market share by flying 13.1% of the total passenger flown during the month.
During the month of December, domestic air passengers grew by about 17.69% with Indian carriers carrying 11.2 million during the month.
On the back of the increase in number of passengers travelling during the month, all scheduled carriers flew its planes with over 80% of their seats full. Gurgaon based SpiceJet continued to maintain its pole position on the load factor front by flying its planes 95.6% full followed by GoAir, which flew its planes with 92% seats full. IndiGo came close third by flying its planes with 90.8% seats full.
Commenting on reporting highest load factors for 33rd month in a row, Spicejet said: "SpiceJet yet again recorded the highest PLF in the industry. The December 2017 figure of 95.6% reinstates our popularity and showcases us an airline for the customers. This is the 33rd month in a row that SpiceJet has had an excess of 90% PLF, a feat unparalleled in the aviation industry," said Shilpa Bhatia, Chief Sales and Revenue Officer, SpiceJet.
In terms of operating flights in time, Jet Airways performance was the worst among all carriers for the third consecutive month. While Jet operated 52.2% of its flights in time, IndiGo topped the list by operating 81.1% of its flights in time. SpiceJet was second by operating 78.4% of its flights on time followed by Vistara that operated 74.5% flights in time.
IndiGo remained the market leader, in terms of passenger carriage, by flying 39.4% of total passengers during the month of December. Jet Airways followed IndiGo in terms of market share by flying 16.9% of the total passengers flown during the month. The national carrier Air India is the third largest carrier in terms of market share by flying 13.1% of the total passenger flown during the month.
