Winning Bizness Desk

Mumbai. India’s domestic aviation sector witnessed a robust surge in passenger traffic in March 2025, with over 1.45 crore passengers flying within the country — an increase of 8.79% compared to the same month in 2024. According to data released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the January-March quarter saw a total of 4.32 crore domestic flyers, registering a 10.35% year-on-year growth from 3.91 crore in the first quarter of 2024.

IndiGo expands lead with 64% market share

IndiGo retained its position as the market leader in the domestic segment with a significant market share of 64% in March, up by 0.3% from February. The airline carried 2.8 crore passengers in the January-March period, marking a 17.7% increase from 2.36 crore during the same quarter last year. In contrast, Air India Group saw a decline in market share by 0.6%.

IndiGo tops in on-time performance too

Besides being the most preferred airline, IndiGo also emerged as the most punctual carrier in March. DGCA data shows that 88.1% of IndiGo flights operated on time. Akasa followed with 87% on-time performance, while Air India Group registered 82% punctuality. These figures underline IndiGo’s operational consistency, especially in a growing market.

BigFly leads in flight cancellations

While major carriers improved their service metrics, newer player BigFly recorded the highest flight cancellations in March, with 44.01% of its scheduled flights called off. In comparison, Air India saw only 0.15% of its flights cancelled during the same month. The stark difference highlights operational challenges for newer or smaller carriers like BigFly.

Overall air travel continues upward trajectory

Domestic passenger traffic in India remains on an upward trend, driven by rising demand and increased flight connectivity. From 1.40 crore domestic travelers in February, the number rose to 1.45 crore in March, showcasing consistent monthly growth. The strong quarterly and monthly numbers suggest continued momentum in the aviation sector as airlines expand routes and capacities.

All in a nutshell:

1. Domestic flyers in March rose 8.79% to over 1.45 crore.

2. Q1 (Jan-Mar) air traffic increased by 10.35% year-on-year.

3. IndiGo carried 2.8 crore passengers in Q1, up 17.7%.

4. IndiGo’s market share climbed to 64% in March.

5. IndiGo had the highest on-time performance at 88.1%.

6. BigFly topped flight cancellations at 44.01%.

7. Air India’s flight cancellations were limited to just 0.15%.