The economic slowdown has taken its toll on air traffic too. In the first four months of the current year, the growth in air traffic has fallen to 1.4 per cent as against a growth rate of 9 per cent last year.
According to data collected by the directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA), the total domestic air traffic during January-April 2001 stood at 44.65 lakh passengers against 44.04 lakh during the corresponding period last year. The growth rate for the full year is projected at 9-10 per cent.
Sources point out that air traffic growth is closely related to economic growth.