TBM Staff - Mumbai In a historic milestone, India’s aviation sector carried 5,05,412 domestic passengers on November 17, 2024, across 3,173 flights—the highest-ever in a single day. This achievement marks a significant rise in air traffic, capping a two-week trend of peak passenger volumes:
November 8: 4.9 lakh passengers
November 9: 4.96 lakh passengers
November 14: 4.97 lakh passengers
November 15: 4.99 lakh passengers
November 16: 4.98 lakh passengers
Traffic Patterns Post-Diwali
The record-breaking numbers come after a relatively subdued October, as air travel gained momentum following Diwali. Unlike previous years, passenger traffic this season has shifted from Diwali-centric travel to post-Diwali journeys, driven by the start of the wedding season and festivities.
IndiGo, the country’s largest airline, had reported a loss in its Q2 FY25 results, citing yield normalisation after a prolonged high-yield environment. This surge in passenger numbers indicates a recovery in demand, moving away from school holiday travel to more event-driven journeys.
Flight Deployment and Capacity Adjustments
This month, airlines have operated an average of 3,161 daily flights—eight more than in October but fewer than the Diwali peak days. The merger of Vistara with Air India on November 12 also contributed to increased capacity, as some metro flights were upgraded to Boeing 787 Dreamliners. While the combined entity has canceled some international routes, the deployment of larger aircraft has temporarily increased seat availability on domestic sectors.
Industry Outlook
The record passenger numbers underscore the resilience of India’s aviation market, signaling strong recovery and demand in domestic travel. With wedding season traffic in full swing and capacity adjustments underway, the sector is poised for sustained growth in the coming months.
