Indian Aviation Sets Record with Over 5 Lakh Passengers in One Day
Indian aviation reached a groundbreaking achievement on November 17, 2024, as over 5 lakh domestic passengers flew in a single day. A total of 5,05,412 travelers were accommodated across 3,173 flights, marking a historic moment for the industry.
This record follows a trend of rising passenger numbers in the weeks leading up to the milestone. On November 8, 2024, 4.9 lakh passengers flew, with numbers climbing steadily: 4.96 lakh on November 9, 4.97 lakh on November 14, and 4.99 lakh on November 15. The surge culminated on November 17, setting the all-time high.
The sharp increase in air traffic follows a relatively slow October, when airlines like IndiGo reported a loss for Q2-FY25, ending a streak of profitable quarters. This dip was attributed to normalizing fare levels post-Diwali, but the jump in air travel, coinciding with the wedding season, reflects a shift from school holiday trips to festive travel.
Growing Demand, Rising Fares, and Full Flights
Throughout November, airlines operated an average of 3,161 daily flights, a slight increase over the previous month but still lower than the peak Diwali period. The merger of Vistara and Air India on November 12 led to increased flight capacity, with some metro routes upgraded to Dreamliner aircraft, adding more seats without a proportional rise in flight numbers.
Although Boeing’s strike delayed fleet expansion for Akasa Air and Air India Express, SpiceJet managed to grow its fleet with a substantial INR 3,000 crore investment and agreements with lessors. However, the overall rise in daily flights was modest, with fewer than 100 additional flights compared to earlier months.
Fare Hikes Amid Strong Demand
Post-Diwali promotions initially spurred market interest, but as demand outpaced the availability of flights, fares quickly rose. While passengers have expressed dissatisfaction with higher ticket prices on social media, the increased demand is a positive sign for airlines, many of which have struggled with profitability in recent years.
Operational challenges such as flight delays, airport congestion, and security-related diversions have also driven up costs, which airlines have passed on to passengers.
Looking Ahead for Indian Aviation
The sharp growth in air travel highlights the resilience of India’s aviation sector, which has quickly rebounded from the setbacks of the COVID-19 pandemic. Government efforts to modernize airports and improve connectivity have played a key role in supporting this expansion. With new airports in Delhi and Mumbai set to open in 2025, the industry is poised to alleviate capacity constraints.
As India’s economy continues to grow, the demand for air travel is expected to rise, providing further opportunities for the aviation sector to contribute to the nation’s development. Though the sector has traditionally grown at around 5% annually due to capacity limitations, the recent record serves as an encouraging signal, setting the stage for continued growth throughout 2025.