India back at top of domestic air travel growth chart globally: IATA

July 07, 2017: India has reclaimed its position as the world’s fastest growing domestic air travel market in May after a temporary blip, according to International Air Transport Association (IATA). According to data released by IATA, India’s passenger traffic grew by 17.7 percent in May from 15.3 percent in April 2017. Till March 2017, India had also topped the domestic charts for the highest growth rates for 23 months in a row.

India regained the top position in domestic revenue passenger kilometres (RPK) and available seat kilometres (ASK) among all major aviation markets, says the latest release.

India’s domestic RPK — which measures actual passenger traffic — rose by more than 17 percent in May compared with the corresponding month of the previous year.

It was followed by that of China at 16.8 percent, Russia at 12.8 percent and Japan at 10.3 percent.

The country’s domestic ASK — which measures available passenger capacity — edged higher by 14.7 percent in May, followed by China at 14.4 percent and Russia at 12.6 percent.

In addition, the association said the global RPK rose by 7.7 percent and the global ASK by 6.1 percent.

“Passenger demand is solid. And we don’t foresee any weakening over the busy summer months in the Northern Hemisphere. But the rising price of fuel and other input costs is likely to see airlines’ ability to stimulate markets with lower fares taper over the coming months,” said Alexandre de Juniac, Director General and CEO, IATA.