New Delhi, Nov 18 – Air traffic in India was the fastest‑growing “season” yet in October, with airlines carrying an estimated 142.8 lakh passengers—up 4.5 % from a year ago and a sharp 12.9 % jump from September.
Why the numbers are upbeat
The Indian aviation firm ICRA keeps its outlook “Stable,” forecasting domestic passenger traffic to rise about 4‑6 % in FY26 after a 7.6 % jump in FY25. In October alone, airliners launched roughly 99,816 domestic departures, a 10.8 % month‑on‑month rise and 1.7 % over the same period last year.
Passenger load factor, the percentage of seats filled, reached 84.7 % in October—surpassing 82.4 % in the previous October and 81.4 % in September. That shows the industry is not only filling more planes, it’s doing so more efficiently.
Challenges that could slow the ride
Growth could remain modest for the rest of the year. Cross‑border tensions, global supply shocks, lingering unease after the June 2025 aircraft incident, and recent air‑traffic‑control hiccups may dampen demand. Even so, international traffic for Indian carriers grew 5.8 % in September and is expected to jump 13‑15 % in FY26, thanks to new routes and more planes on the ground.
Fuel costs keep airlines on edge
Aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices hit a 4.4 % year‑on‑year and 0.8 % month‑on‑month rise in November. Fuel can take up 30‑40 % of an airline’s operating costs, so any sustained price hike remains a big worry for the industry.
New rules to make travelling smoother
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has proposed new ticket‑change rules: passengers may cancel or amend bookings within 48 hours of purchase—without penalties—if the flight departs more than five days away domestically or 15 days out for international travel. Refunds will be processed within 21 working days, giving travelers faster relief.
Overall, India’s air travel market shows strong momentum, but rising fuel costs and external pressures could temper the pace of growth. The industry’s stewards are tackling these challenges through better planning, new routes, and passenger‑friendly policies.
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