• India's domestic air traffic hit a record high on November 17, 2024, with over 5 lakh passengers flying in a single day.
• Despite challenges like low visibility causing flight delays, the aviation sector continues to grow, with a 5.37% increase in flights compared to the previous year.
• The aviation industry plays a crucial role in India's tourism boom, with schemes like UDAN making air travel more accessible and affordable.
• The government is taking measures to ensure passengers' rights during flight delays and cancellations, including compensation and assistance.

India's domestic air traffic witnessed a historic surge on November 17, 2024, with over 5 lakh passengers taking to the skies in a single day. This unprecedented event led to a 3% increase in the shares of IndiGo 's parent company, Interglobe Aviation, and low-cost carrier SpiceJet. The surge in air travel is attributed to the festive and wedding seasons, which traditionally see a high demand for air travel in the country.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation lauded this milestone, stating, "On November 17, 2024, Indian aviation marked a historic milestone as 5,05,412 domestic passengers flew in a single day, surpassing the remarkable 5-lakh passenger threshold. This reflects the sector's rapid growth and the increasing trust of Indians in air travel's accessibility and reliability.

However, the increase in air traffic has also brought challenges. The On Time Performance (OTP) of airlines has been impacted due to various factors, including dense smog at airports in the north, especially New Delhi. This has resulted in flight delays as visibility has been low in the morning hours.

Challenges and Growth in the Aviation Sector

Despite these challenges, the aviation sector continues to grow. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) announced in October that Indian airlines would operate 25,007 flights every week to and from 124 airports in the winter schedule that started from October 27. This marked a 5.37% increase compared to the winter schedule of 2023.

The DGCA also revealed that IndiGo's market share increased to 63% in September, while Air India climbed to 15%, Akasa Air was at 4.4%, and SpiceJet dropped to 2%. Domestic air passenger traffic rose 6% to 13 million in September.

However, the aviation industry is not just about numbers. It's also about the people who make it possible. The industry has faced criticism for policies that may discourage pilots from reporting fatigue, a critical safety issue. Air India's new policy requiring a dedicated committee to review fatigue calls by pilots and cabin crew has sparked a heated debate across the aviation industry.

Aviation's Role in India's Tourism Boom and Passenger Rights

The aviation industry is also playing a crucial role in India's ambitious tourism boom. The government's Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme aims to make air travel accessible and affordable for the common man by subsidizing flights to smaller cities and underdeveloped regions. This has been instrumental in boosting domestic travel and tourism.

However, passengers' rights during flight delays and cancellations have been a point of concern. The government has issued orders to airport authorities to take necessary measures during such situations. Passengers are entitled to compensation and assistance, including meals, accommodation, and transportation, depending on the circumstances.