IndiGo Market Share Slips to Less than Sixty-Five Percent in November Due to New Operational Disruptions, With Their Competitors Air India and SpiceJet Gaining Ground

Published on December 29, 2025

The largest airline in the Indian aviation industry, IndiGo, has experienced a reduction in its overall market share in November 2025, based on official data made available by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The airline’s overall share has fallen to 63.6%, down from 65.6% in the month of October, which is a decline of 2% in its dominance of the Indian aviation industry. Nevertheless, IndiGo still retains the largest airline in the Indian industry.

The drop in market share for IndiGo comes after a series of disruptions of its operations, which affected the airline’s performance at the beginning of the month. The aviation authority mandated IndiGo to reduce its winter schedule by 10% due to mass delays of flights. However, IndiGo still leads in the market, but disruptions have caused a shift in the competitive dynamics.

Air India and SpiceJet Gain Market Share

While IndiGo experienced a dip, the Air India Group, which includes both Air India and Air India Express, made significant gains. The group’s combined market share rose to 26.7% in November, up from 25.7% in October. This growth reflects the airline’s strengthening position in India’s competitive aviation market, aided by continued improvements in service quality and expanded routes.

SpiceJet, another key player in India’s budget airline sector, also saw a rise in market share, climbing to 3.7% in November from 2.6% in the previous month. The budget airline sector in India is becoming increasingly competitive, and SpiceJet’s growth highlights the demand for affordable travel options, especially as more Indian travelers return to air travel.

Akasa Air Sees Decline in Market Share

On the other hand, Akasa Air, a newer budget carrier, recorded a decline in market share, dropping to 4.7% in November from 5.2% in October. Despite its initial growth, Akasa Air is facing challenges in a crowded market, as it competes with established players like IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet.

Rising Passenger Traffic Reflects Growing Demand

Despite the market share fluctuations, India’s overall passenger traffic continues to grow. According to DGCA data, Indian airlines carried 1,526.35 lakh passengers between January and November 2025, an increase of 4.26% compared to the same period in the previous year. This reflects a strong upward trend in air travel demand, driven by the resurgence in domestic tourism, business travel, and increased connectivity across the country.

Furthermore, the month-on-month increase in passenger numbers was 6.92%, demonstrating sustained growth in the aviation sector despite operational disruptions faced by some carriers.

Customer Complaints and Service Challenges

However, customer service issues remain a concern. Airlines received 1,196 passenger-related grievances in November, with over 50.6% of these complaints linked to flight-related issues, including delays, cancellations, and customer service challenges. Baggage issues accounted for 17.9% of the complaints, while refund-related grievances made up 12.5%.

The overall cancellation rate for scheduled domestic flights in November was recorded at 1.33%, which is relatively low, but still points to the challenges airlines face in maintaining on-time performance during a period of increased demand.

The Future Impact of the Indian Aviation Sector

As India’s aviation sector continues to grow, the future travel impact of these market share shifts and passenger traffic trends will be significant. The growth in passenger numbers is likely to increase the competition between airlines, making customer service, reliable operations, and affordable options more important than ever.

The rise of competition between airlines such as IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet will encourage further improvements in service quality and product offerings, as each airline strives to differentiate itself in a rapidly growing market. IndiGo’s response to operational challenges, including its 10% schedule reduction, will likely involve greater focus on improving operational efficiency, on-time performance, and customer communication—key factors that will determine its ability to regain lost market share and maintain leadership in the sector.

The future impact of rising demand in the aviation sector will also drive increased investments in airport infrastructure and aviation technology, helping to improve capacity and efficiency at key airports in India. With the expansion of domestic and international routes, India’s aviation network will become more connected, enhancing tourism and trade opportunities.

Future Strategies: Leveraging Source Market Potential

The future tourism growth in India will also be influenced by better leveraging source market potential. Airlines, particularly IndiGo, will likely need to focus on revised promotional strategies for countries like Russia, Germany, and the United Kingdom, which have shown significant potential but have yet to be fully tapped. By strategically targeting these underperforming markets, India’s aviation sector could see continued growth, attracting international visitors and boosting global tourism.

Future Resilience for India’s Aviation Industry

Looking at the continued growth of the Indian aviation industry in the coming years will be influenced by how these carriers will be able to manage competencies and changing passenger needs. The move by IndiGo to manage its decline in market share along with the rise of Air India and Spice Jet shows a clear shift in the Aviation industry.

The aviation industry in India, due to continued emphasis on excellence, CX, and development, is set to continue on the growth journey and compete effectively on the global arena. The long-term implications of this growth and development for the tourism sector in India will not only benefit from economic stability but from connectivity, which will define the future of tourism for years to come.

Image Source: IndiGo