Domestic passenger kilometers for scheduled Indian airlines FY 2014-2023

In fiscal year 2023, the domestic passenger kilometers for scheduled airlines in India was around 132.1 billion. It increased by more than 61 percent in the previous fiscal year. This significant increase was due to the travel recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

Major domestic airlines

For many years, Jet Airways and IndiGo were competing for the first place in the domestic market, until the former suspended operations in April 2019 following financial difficulties. As of financial year 2023, the domestic aviation sector in India was dominated by IndiGo airlines. IndiGo was established in 2006 in Gurugram, with its main base located at Delhi. It was followed by SpiceJet and Air India that same year.

Coronavirus and aviation industry

The coronavirus pandemic had a profound impact on India’s economy, let alone the aviation industry. International air travel was suspended from March 22, 2020, and domestic passenger flights were suspended on March 25, 2020. The impact resulted in underserviced flying inventory and ground equipment, escalating interests and deficits. However, since March 2022, both domestic and international air travel has been gradually returning to normal. It was estimated that by 2024, the Indian aviation sector would reach pre-pandemic levels.