The aviation sector in India has undergone a notable transformation, with a growing number of travelers choosing direct flights to international destinations. This trend is largely due to the expansion of international routes by airlines like IndiGo and the Tata-owned Air India Group. Furthermore, the entry of new airlines such as Akasa, along with various international carriers, has changed how people travel, leading to fewer stopovers at major hub airports. This analysis is based on data from OAG, a UK-based air consultancy, which compared figures from 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, to those from 2023. In 2023, the total international air traffic from India reached approximately 65 million passengers, which is slightly down by 600,000 compared to 2019. However, the number of passengers flying non-stop increased to 37 million, marking a rise of 2 million from the previous figures. On the other hand, the count of travelers taking indirect flights decreased by 2.5 million, bringing the total to 27 million. This change indicates a growing preference for direct flights, with the percentage of direct travelers increasing from 54% to 57%.
Additionally, around 1 million passengers used Indian airports for connecting flights, such as those traveling from Kathmandu to New York with a stop in Delhi. This data highlights the evolving landscape of air travel in India, where direct routes are becoming more popular, and the reliance on connecting flights is diminishing. The overall trend suggests a shift in passenger behavior, favoring convenience and efficiency in international travel.More countries, such as Vietnam and Indonesia, are now providing direct flights to and from India, making these routes easier to access. As a result, the need for one-stop flights has decreased, unless travelers choose them for specific reasons.
An analysis by OAG shows a significant drop in traffic through traditional hubs, especially in the Middle East, which experienced a loss of 1 million indirect passengers from 2019 to 2023. Other international hubs also saw a decline of 2.8 million indirect passengers during the same time, while Indian hubs gained 1 million indirect passengers. In the last four years, Indian airlines have launched 52 new international routes. HuSince 2014, the Indian government, led by Prime Minister Modi, has taken a cautious approach to expanding flying rights with other countries. This strategy is designed to protect local airlines and encourage the growth of global hubs in India.
