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Domestic air traffic grew 23 per cent in April year-on-year and IndiGo enhanced its leadership position, with 37.8 per cent market share in the month.
It was the fourth consecutive month of strong growth as air traffic expanded 23 per cent to 6.5 million in April from 5.3 million a year ago. In March, domestic air traffic had risen 18.8 per cent year-on-year. Passenger growth has been driven by low fares, which are about 20 per cent lower than last summer’s.
Jet Airways remained number two, with 23.1 per cent share in April. Air India was third, with 16.2 per cent share.
SpiceJet reported the highest occupancy of 88.7 per cent in April, followed by GoAir and IndiGo, each reporting about 85 per cent occupancy. Almost all airlines reported a growth in occupancy in April (over March), which is a peak season due to summer vacations. Vistara occupancy improved after three weak months. It rose from 53 per cent in March to 67 per cent in April.
Vistara and AirAsia India also reported highest on-time performances of 96 per cent and 100 per cent, respectively, and zero cancellations in April. SpiceJet had the least on-time flights, with 75 per cent punctuality. IndiGo, which usually tops on-time performances among all airlines, had the second-lowest punctuality of 79 per cent. All other airlines had 79 to 80 per cent on-time performances.
The partial closure of Panaji runway for upgrade, operation of relief flights at Kathmandu, and runway congestion at Mumbai, led to a drop in punctuality for airlines.
This affected punctuality. Relief flights to Kathmandu were also delayed due to congestion there, a spokesperson said. IndiGo did not respond to a query.
In January and February, passenger growth was up 21 per cent over a year ago. Last year, air traffic grew by 9.7 per cent over a year ago, with airlines flying 67.3 million passengers.
In 2013, the domestic air traffic had grown 4.4 per cent over 2012. In 2013, airlines carried 61.4 million passengers, while 2012 had seen passenger numbers decline over 2011.
