As the year comes to an end, India will have recorded its best-ever domestic traffic in history, fully coming out of the COVID pandemic and a year ahead of industry body IATA's estimate of COVID recovery by 2024. The year 2019 which was the last full year of operations pre-COVID, had seen the fall of Jet Airways - yet the year had seen record traffic. This year was no different with one airline going down yet the industry recovery being strong and crossing the pre-COVID levels.
IndiGo touches the milestone of 300 aircraft
IndiGo became the first airline in India to reach the significant milestone of having its fleet reach 300 aircraft. The milestone was reached on January 6, 2023. This achievement solidified IndiGo's position as India's largest airline and one of the fastest-growing low-cost carriers globally.
The airline consistently recorded a domestic market share of over 60% this year and carried more passengers than Air India in international segments. The expansion has been driven by multiple orders since 2005 with the latest being this year, when the airline placed an order for a record of 500 narrowbody aircraft. The airline became the first one in India to operate over 2000 daily flights towards the end of the year.
For the record, IndiGo reached its 200 aircraft fleet moment in December 2018 and it had its 100th operational aircraft in December 2015. It went from 0 to 100 in nine years, 100 to 200 in 3 years and 200 to 300 in a little over four years, primarily as it focused on fleet renewal and the pandemic years took away the momentum of growth. The airline though has come out stronger than ever from the pandemic. Interestingly, the year IndiGo started - the total fleet in the country was less than 300! In a country which is littered with airline skeletons, IndiGo has been a breath of fresh air which has grown with its standardised approach and reached 80+ destinations in the country.
Bu hikaye Cruising Heights dergisinin December 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Cruising Heights dergisinin December 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
VIDARBHA INDIA'S NEXT AVIATION HUB?
With the modernisation process for Nagpur Airport moving ahead in full steam, Vidarbha, a long-overlooked region in Maharashtra, is gaining momentum as a potential aviation hub with significant infrastructure projects like Air India's aviation academy in Amravati and the ISHAN air traffic management scheme. But what will really give a film to the region is the development of Nagpur airport by the GMR Group, the creation of a second runway and a spanking new terminal.
BUSINESS AVIATION INDIA'S MISSED OPPORTUNITY?
India's Missed Opportunity?
INDIGO'S WET LEASE GAMBLEAN OPPORTUNITY OR A COST RISK?
IndiGo’s reliance on wet-leased aircraft, including six MAX 8 jets, highlights its efforts to tackle grounded planes and expand capacity. While offering flexibility, this approach poses cost and operational challenges, writes AMEYA JOSHI.
LAST-MILE DELIVERY, AI GOES THE DISTANCE
Artificial Intelligence is revolutionising air cargo and last-mile delivery by optimising logistics, reducing costs, and enhancing efficiency. Despite challenges, Al-driven solutions promise transformative growth for the cargo industry, writes R CHANDRAKANTH
TAMIL NADU'S REGIONAL AVIATION SURGE
Tamil Nadu is set for an aviation boom, with upgrades to key regional airports and plans for new facilities like the Hosur and Parandur airports. These developments aim to enhance connectivity, boost economic growth, and attract trade and tourism across the state, writes RASHEED KAPPAN
POTENTIAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
Artificial Intelligence promises to transform Air Traffic Management (ATM), improving efficiency, safety, and decision-making. Despite its potential, challenges like regulatory complexities and integration barriers must be addressed, writes DR. S K SARASWATI
INSIGHTFUL MRO
Predictive maintenance is a clear digital priority for MROs. This transformative approach enhances efficiency, reduces costs, and minimises downtime, addressing evolving challenges in fleet management, writes ATUL CHANDRA
INDIAN AVIATION'S 2025 TAKEOFF
India's aviation sector soared to record-breaking domestic passenger traffic in 2024, highlighting robust growth despite challenges like supply chain disruptions and infrastructure constraints. As 2025 unfolds, transformative fleet expansions, new airports, and regional connectivity initiatives promise unprecedented growth, but questions about profitability and execution remain, analyses AMEYA JOSHI
HIGH ON HYDROGEN
Hydrogen fuel presents a transformative opportunity for sus-tainable aviation, offering zero-emission potential. With industry giants like Airbus and Embraer leading advancements, its deployment remains a decade away, observes ATUL CHANDRA
UNTAPPED POTENTIAL OF BUSINESS JETS IN AN ENCOURAGING MARKET
India's business jet market is witnessing growth, fueled by rising UHNWIS and increasing private jet demand. Yet, challenges like high operational costs, inadequate infrastructure, and unclear fractional ownership policies hinder its full potential, explains R. CHANDRAKANTH
