New Delhi, India Record Breaking Domestic Air Travel Passenger Numbers Jump Fourteen Point Five Percent Year On Year In January Two Thousand Twenty Five To One Hundred Fifty Point Three Lakh Surpassing Pre Pandemic Levels By Seventeen Point Nine Percent

Published on February 22, 2025

New Delhi, India, Domestic air travel soared in January 2025, reaching one hundred fifty point three lakh passengers, a fourteen point five percent year-on-year rise.

India’s Domestic Air Travel Soars in January 2025, Surpassing Pre-Pandemic Levels

India’s domestic air passenger traffic continued its upward trajectory in January 2025, reaching an estimated 15.03 million travelers, as per a recent ICRA report.

This marks a 0.7% rise from December 2024 and an impressive 14.5% surge compared to January 2024. Even more significantly, the numbers outpaced pre-COVID January 2020 figures by 17.9%, underscoring the sector’s strong recovery and expansion.

Domestic Aviation Performance in FY25

Between April 2024 and January 2025, total domestic air passenger traffic stood at 137.21 million, reflecting a 7.5% year-on-year growth. Notably, this period also saw a 13% increase compared to the same timeframe in FY20, reaffirming sustained demand and market resilience.

International Air Travel Also Gaining Momentum

Indian carriers witnessed a notable rise in international air traffic. In the first nine months of FY25, international passenger numbers climbed to 24.89 million, showing a 14.5% year-on-year growth and an extraordinary 41.7% jump compared to pre-COVID levels.

Passenger Load Factor at Record Highs

The passenger load factor (PLF)—a key indicator of airline efficiency—stood at an estimated 92.1% in January 2025, a clear improvement from 89.2% in January 2024 and 85.0% in January 2020. This underscores the high occupancy rates airlines are achieving amid robust demand.

ATF Price Trends: A Relief for Airlines

While aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices saw a 5.3% year-on-year increase from April to July 2024, a 14.7% decline followed between August 2024 and February 2025. Overall, for April 2024 to February 2025, ATF costs were 8.1% lower than the previous fiscal year, providing some financial relief for airlines.

With continued growth in both domestic and international travel, India’s aviation industry is flying high, maintaining strong momentum well beyond pre-pandemic benchmarks.