Covid-19 pandemic thruster off, demand for chartered flight declines

Operators hopeful of business travel driving demand

Chartered flight movements declined in India by 18.3 per cent in 2022-23 to 249,424 as the tailwind generated during the Covid-19 pandemic gradually ebbed.

In 2021-22, charter flight movements had hit a peak of 305,449, according to the Airports Authority of India’s (AAI’s) data, which has been reviewed by Business Standard. Each arrival/departure at an Indian airport is counted as one movement.

Rajesh Bali, managing director, Business Aircraft Operators Association (BAOA), said: “The Covid-19 pandemic boosted the demand. There is no doubt about it. As personal protection was more important, people did not worry much about the cost of taking