Domestic air passenger traffic surges 8.45% to 143.16 lakh in April 2025

Indian airlines recorded a significant rise in domestic passenger traffic in April 2025, carrying a total of 143.16 lakh passengers. This marks an impressive 8.45% increase compared to the 132 lakh passengers flown during the same month last year, highlighting a robust growth trajectory in India’s aviation sector. The surge reflects increasing travel demand fueled by improving economic conditions, expanding connectivity, and a growing middle class eager to explore both business and leisure destinations within the country.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the regulatory body overseeing civil aviation in India, released detailed statistics showing that the total number of domestic passengers carried by Indian airlines between January and April 2025 reached 575.13 lakh. This represents a notable year-on-year growth of 9.87% compared to 523.46 lakh passengers during the corresponding period in 2024. This sustained increase over the first four months of the year points to a continued recovery and strengthening of domestic air travel following the disruptions caused by the pandemic.

Examining more recent monthly trends, the data reveals a steady upward movement in passenger traffic from 140.44 lakh in February 2025 to 143.16 lakh in April. This 1.9% growth over two months indicates consistent demand and passenger confidence in the domestic aviation network as India heads into the peak travel season.

In terms of market share, IndiGo remains the undisputed leader in the domestic aviation market, commanding a substantial 64.1% share of total passenger traffic. The airline’s wide network, operational efficiency, and competitive pricing continue to attract the majority of domestic travelers. The Air India Group holds the second-largest share at 27.2%, followed by Akasa Air with 5% and SpiceJet at 2.6%, according to the latest DGCA figures.

On-Time Performance (OTP), a key indicator of airline operational reliability, was also reported for flights operating through India’s four major metro airports—Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. IndiGo topped this metric with an OTP of 80.8%, showing an improvement over the previous year’s 78.5%. Akasa Air and Air India Group posted OTPs of 77.5% and 72.4%, respectively. Meanwhile, SpiceJet lagged behind with the lowest OTP among the major players, standing at 60%. These figures reflect ongoing efforts by airlines to enhance punctuality and customer experience amid rising flight volumes.

Overall, the continued increase in passenger numbers combined with improvements in on-time performance underscores the strengthening domestic aviation sector. Rising disposable incomes, better air connectivity to tier-2 and tier-3 cities, and government initiatives aimed at boosting regional air travel are all contributing factors driving this upward trend. The positive momentum is expected to sustain as airlines expand their fleets and routes to meet growing demand, further supporting India’s emergence as one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets.