The nightly aircraft line-up tail parade at the apron of Kempegowda International Airport Bangalore
The nightly aircraft line-up at the apron of Kempegowda International Airport Bangalore

India domestic air passenger traffic up in August. Jet back at second rank.

September 16, 2014 1 Comment 263 Views

India registered a growth of 5.31% in domestic air passenger traffic for the eight months of 2014 ending August compared to the same period last year. Indian airlines carried 43.325 million passengers from January to August 2014 compared to 41.140 in the eight months of 2013. Month to month traffic grew 8.31% to 5.697 million in August 2014 from 5.26 million in August 2013.

Market share

India’s largest private carrier Jet Airways and its subsidiary JetLite combined, regained the second rank both in terms of passengers carried and market share from SpiceJet. National carrier Air India fell to a low 16.2% market share while low fare carrier SpiceJet gave back most of the gains it made in the month of July. Market leader IndiGo and minnow GoAir also registered impressive gains.

Domestic air passenger traffic August 2014. Market share. Graphics Bangalore Aviation.
Domestic air passenger traffic August 2014. Market share. Graphics Bangalore Aviation.

Passengers carried

With the exception of Air India, all other airlines saw a growth in their passenger numbers from July, as the summer holidays ended and business activities recommenced in earnest ahead of the October Diwali holiday season. August domestic air passenger traffic jumped a significant 9.22% over the 5.216 million of July.

Domestic air passenger traffic August 2014. Passengers carried. Graphics Bangalore Aviation.
Domestic air passenger traffic August 2014. Passengers carried. Graphics Bangalore Aviation.

Passenger load factor

All major carriers improved their capacity utilisation also called passenger load factors (revenue passenger kilometres divided by available seat kilometres) to above 70%. SpiceJet retained the passenger load factor crown at 82.5% closely followed by GoAir. Air Costa was the laggard.

Domestic air passenger traffic August 2014. Passenger load factors. Graphics Bangalore Aviation.
Domestic air passenger traffic August 2014. Passenger load factors. Graphics Bangalore Aviation.

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About Devesh Agarwal

A electronics and automotive product management, marketing and branding expert, he was awarded a silver medal at the Lockheed Martin innovation competition 2010. He is ranked 6th on Mashable's list of aviation pros on Twitter and in addition to Bangalore Aviation, he has contributed to leading publications like Aviation Week, Conde Nast Traveller India, The Economic Times, and The Mint (a Wall Street Journal content partner). He remains a frequent flier and shares the good, the bad, and the ugly about the Indian aviation industry without fear or favour.

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One comment

  1. Oussama
    September 17, 2014 at 02:14

    As the new entrants Air Costa and Air Asia start growing the relative market shares will change. Ideally the market should expand and drive load factors upward hopefully driving costs lower. Jet and AI have the advantage of a code share with Etihad and LH/Star Alliance respectively that could increase their domestic share through expanded international travel.

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