Winning Bizness Desk
Mumbai.IndiGo has reclaimed the top position in India’s international aviation market, overtaking the Air India Group after a gap of six years. According to the latest data released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, IndiGo carried 4.14 million international passengers during the July to September 2025 quarter. The figure translates to around 41.4 lakh flyers, marginally higher than the Air India Group’s 4.10 million passengers in the same period. Though the difference is narrow, the shift is significant as it marks a clear change in market leadership during a high-demand travel season.
DGCA data shows airline-wise passenger breakup
IndiGo emerged as the clear leader among Indian carriers in the international segment during the quarter. The Air India Group, which includes Air India and Air India Express, collectively stood second.
Key passenger numbers during July-September 2025 were:
- IndiGo: 4.14 million international passengers
- Air India Group overall: 4.10 million passengers
- Air India alone: 2.38 million passengers
- Air India Express: 1.72 million passengers
- SpiceJet: 0.31 million passengers
- Akasa Air: 0.21 million passengers
Other airlines remained far behind, underlining how concentrated the international market remains among the top two players.
Operational focus helps IndiGo gain edge
A major factor behind IndiGo’s rise has been its consistent operations and focus on high-frequency international routes. The airline has strengthened its presence on short and medium-haul sectors, ensuring better aircraft utilisation and stable schedules. In contrast, smaller airlines like SpiceJet and Akasa Air continue to have limited international exposure, restricting their ability to compete at scale. IndiGo’s disciplined network planning during peak summer and early festive travel months also helped it attract higher passenger volumes.
How trends shifted across previous quarters
The July-September turnaround becomes clearer when compared with earlier quarters in 2025. In the January to March quarter, the Air India Group was well ahead, carrying 4.55 million international passengers, while IndiGo handled 3.93 million. The gap narrowed in the April-June quarter and finally reversed in July-September. Aviation experts point out that rising leisure travel and festival-linked demand during late summer played in IndiGo’s favour, especially on regional international routes.
Why Air India Group lost momentum
The Air India Group’s international capacity has been under pressure due to multiple operational challenges. Older aircraft were grounded for upgrades, while deliveries of new planes were delayed. Additionally, after a Boeing 787 crash near Ahmedabad airport in June, safety reviews led to a nearly 15 percent cut in wide-body international operations. These factors directly impacted passenger numbers during the quarter.
Winter schedule shifts reshape competition
For the winter season from October 2025 to March 2026, IndiGo has increased its international flights by 14.5 percent to 44,035, compared with 38,481 last winter. The Air India Group, meanwhile, has reduced flights by 9 percent to 41,626 from 45,958 last year.
Other key points shaping the outlook include:
- IndiGo now leads in scheduled international flights and seats
- Air India Group flies to 48 foreign destinations, IndiGo to 44
- Air India continues to dominate the international cargo segment
IndiGo’s growth is expected to continue, supported by its strong short-haul network. Air India Group is likely to regain ground once fleet upgrades and new aircraft deliveries stabilise operations. Overall, competition in Indian aviation is intensifying, with leadership positions increasingly shifting quarter by quarter.
