According to DGCA’s October 2024 report, domestic air passenger traffic increased by 5.3%, with 1.36 crore passengers flying across the country. This growth highlights the rising aspirations of common citizens and their increasing reliance on air travel for convenience and connectivity.

IndiGo’s Dominance Continues

IndiGo, the country’s largest airline, carried 86.40 lakh passengers in October 2024, achieving a market share of 63.3%. This dominance underlines IndiGo’s ability to provide efficient services and wide network coverage, making it the preferred choice for many travelers.

Tata Group’s Transformative Mergers

Air India and Vistara have also played a significant role in the domestic aviation sector. In October, Air India and its subsidiary AIX Connect merged with Air India Express, forming the airline’s low-cost arm. Similarly, on November 12, Vistara, previously a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, merged into Air India, creating a stronger, unified full-service carrier.

Combined, Air India (including Air India Express) and Vistara accounted for 28.5% of domestic passenger traffic in October 2024. The consolidated Tata Group airlines are now poised to provide both luxury and budget-friendly options to Indian flyers.

Performance of Other Airlines

Other airlines also contributed to the sector’s growth.

• SpiceJet: 3.35 lakh passengers, securing 2.4% of the market share.
• Akash Air: 6.16 lakh passengers, with a 5.4% market share.

On-Time Performance

Major airports like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad recorded the highest on-time performance at 71.9%, ensuring smoother experiences for passengers.

India’s aviation industry is not just about numbers but also about evolving strategies and meeting passenger demands. The rising domestic air traffic, coupled with significant airline mergers, reflects a transformative phase for the sector, bringing air travel closer to the common man’s reach.

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The renowned Sabarimala Temple in Kerala, dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, has recently opened its doors for the Mandal Makaravilakku season, which attracts lakhs of devotees every year. This period, primarily taking place in the months of December and January, sees a significant surge in the number of pilgrims visiting the temple, especially during the Sankranti and Makaravilakku pujas. To help ease the transportation challenges for the growing number of devotees, the government and various airlines have stepped in with additional flight services.

Additional Flights for Devotees’ Convenience

The annual rush of devotees during this season has posed challenges for local transport, with overcrowding and delays becoming significant concerns. To mitigate this, airlines have taken proactive steps to run additional flights, ensuring faster and more efficient travel for the pilgrims. As part of these efforts, eight daily flights will now operate between Chennai and Kochi, one of the nearest airports to Sabarimala. Additionally, three more flights from Bengaluru to Kochi via Chennai have been extended, making it easier for devotees to reach their destination without delays. These additional services will remain in operation until January 25, 2025.

Several airlines, including Air India Express, Indigo, and SpiceJet, are providing these special services, all aimed at streamlining the travel experience for the devotees. With these extra flights, many devotees believe they can avoid the long travel times typically associated with road transport, allowing them to reach Sabarimala in a more convenient and timely manner.

Special Security and Other Arrangements for Devotees

In addition to the enhanced flight services, the temple authorities have made special security arrangements to ensure the safety of all visitors. With the high volume of pilgrims expected, especially during the Makaravilakku season starting on December 30, these measures are crucial to maintaining order and preventing any disruptions. The authorities have also taken steps to ensure a smooth pilgrimage experience, with efforts focused on crowd management and ensuring that devotees can perform their rituals without difficulty.

The temple’s Mandal season will run until December 26, and the Makaravilakku season will continue until January 20, 2025, bringing a steady flow of devotees to the shrine. The coordinated efforts by the government and airlines aim to ensure that the pilgrimage remains a sacred and fulfilling experience for everyone involved.

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