Central Asia gives IndiGo its wings

Central Asia-including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Georgiahas emerged as a top destination for Indian travellers seeking affordable international holidays, especially as Europe becomes increasingly expensive and visa processes slow down.

- SURAJEET DAS GUPTA

India's largest budget carrier, IndiGo, which launched its services to this region last August with its first flight to Baku (Azerbaijan), is now aggressively expanding its capacity.

National carriers in these countries are also seizing the opportunity, launching more flights to attract Indian travellers.

Just over a three-hour flight from Delhi, these four countries have seen a big jump in visitors.

According to data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the number of Indians travelling to these countries more than doubled in the first quarter (Q1) of the calendar year (CY) 2024, rising by 104 per cent to 76,341 from 37,254 in the same period last year.

In Azerbaijan, for example, there were no recorded passengers from India to Baku in Q1 of CY 2022 and only 799 passengers in Q1 of CY 2023.

However, in 2024, the number surged to a staggering 14,956-a nearly eighteenfold increase.