India has become world’s 5th largest aviation market in 2024. Handled 211 million passengers, surpassing Japan (205 million). The dats is from source: International Air Transport Association (IATA) – World Air Transport Statistics (WATS) 2024. Mumbai–Delhi was ranked 7th busiest global air route (5.9 million passengers).
Global Aviation Rankings (2024)
| Rank | Country | Passengers (millions) | Growth % (YoY) |
| 1 | United States | 876 | +5.2% |
| 2 | China | 741 | +18.7% |
| 3 | United Kingdom | 261 | — |
| 4 | Spain | 241 | — |
| 5 | India | 211 | +11.1% |
| 6 | Japan | 205 | +18.6% |
Busiest Airport Pairs (2024)
- Jeju–Seoul (South Korea): 13.2 million (world’s busiest).
- Mumbai–Delhi: 5.9 million (7th globally).
- Asia-Pacific dominated with 9 of top 10 routes.
- Only Jeddah–Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) was outside Asia-Pacific.
Premium Class Travel Trends
- Global premium passengers (Business + First class): 116.9 million (6% of total).
- Growth: +11.8%, faster than economy (+11.5%).
- Regional trends:
- Asia-Pacific: 22.8% premium growth (21 million flyers).
- Europe: Largest premium market (39.3 million).
- Middle East: Highest share of premium travellers (14.7%).
Aircraft Usage (2024)
- Boeing 737: 10 million flights | 2.4 trillion ASKs.
- Airbus A320: 7.9 million flights | 1.7 trillion ASKs.
- Airbus A321: 3.4 million flights | 1.1 trillion ASKs.
(ASK = Available Seat Kilometres → key measure of airline capacity).
India’s Aviation Growth Pillars
Legislative Reforms
- Protection of Interest in Aircraft Objects Bill, 2025 → aligns with Cape Town Convention, lowers leasing cost.
- Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024 → replaces Aircraft Act, 1934; boosts Make in India in aviation.
Infrastructure Expansion
- New greenfield airports since 2014: Shirdi, Mopa, Shivamogga; upcoming Noida (Jewar) & Navi Mumbai.
- ₹91,000 crore CAPEX under NIP (till Nov 2024, ₹82,600 crore spent).
- Major terminal upgrades: Varanasi, Agra, Darbhanga, Bagdogra.
Government Schemes
- UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik): Boosts regional air connectivity.
- National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP): Supports MRO, leasing, airport development.
- Green Airports Policy: Pushes carbon-neutral & renewable energy airports.
- Aircraft Leasing Hub: GIFT City emerging as global aviation finance hub.
Challenges for India’s Aviation Sector
- Infrastructure bottlenecks: Metro airports nearing full capacity; Tier-2/Tier-3 underdeveloped.
- High Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) costs: Heavily taxed → uncompetitive.
- Regulatory hurdles: Complex approval layers reduce ease of doing business.
- Environmental concerns: Noise, emissions → push for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
- Skilled workforce shortage: Pilots, engineers, MRO professionals in demand.
Way Forward
- Fuel Pricing Reform: Uniform taxation of ATF across states.
- Sustainability Focus: Promote SAF, electric aircraft, carbon offsets.
- Skill Development: Expand National Aviation University programs.
- Global Hub Strategy: Develop Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad as international aviation hubs (rivals: Dubai, Doha, Singapore).
Key Facts
- IATA (International Air Transport Association): HQ – Montreal, Canada; founded 1945; represents 300+ airlines (83% of global traffic).
- ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization): UN specialized agency, HQ – Montreal, Canada.
- Cape Town Convention (2001): International treaty regulating aircraft leasing/financing.
- ASK (Available Seat Kilometres): Total seating capacity × distance flown (key airline efficiency metric).
- India’s Civil Aviation Regulator: DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation).
- India is projected to become the 3rd largest aviation market by 2030, driven by rising middle-class incomes, low-cost carriers, and government initiatives like UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik).
- UDAN Scheme: Launched 2016 under National Civil Aviation Policy, covers Tier-2/3 cities.
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (Mumbai): Only Indian airport in Top 10 busiest (2024).
- Top global hub airports (2024): Atlanta, Beijing, Dubai, London-Heathrow.