64.5 million passengers carried on international routes in Jan-Nov 2024, up 11.4 pc: Center
A total of 64.5 million passengers were carried on international routes by Indian and foreign scheduled operators during the January-November period of 2024, which saw a growth of 11.4 percent from the same period in 2023 (58 million air travelers), according to the Ministry. of Civil Aviation.
Of the 64.5 million passengers last year, 29.8 million passengers were carried by Indian carriers while 34.7 million passengers were carried by foreign carriers, the data showed.
In the January-November period, domestic airlines operated a total of 1.02 million flights, carrying 146.4 million passengers, against 0.97 million flights carrying a total of 138.2 million scheduled passengers in the previous year 2023 (January-November), according to previous data shared by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
“The number of domestic passengers carried by domestic carriers in India has increased by 5.9 percent in the year 2024 as compared to the previous year 2023 for the same period,” the department said.
Marking a new record, domestic air passengers crossed 5 lakh for the first time in a single day on November 17, 2024.
The Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam 2024, which came into force on 1 January, aims to modernize the Indian aviation sector by revising the Aviation Act, 1934, in line with modern requirements and international standards.
The new law will promote indigenous manufacturing under the ‘Make in India’ and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, comply with international agreements such as the Chicago Convention and ICAO, and streamline regulatory processes, such as simplifying licensing, the government said.
As part of the expansion, significant infrastructure improvements last year included laying the foundation for new terminals in Varanasi, Agra, Darbhanga and Bagdogra. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also inaugurated airports at Sarsawa, Rewa and Ambikapur, strengthening regional connectivity.
The government has also given ‘in principle’ permission to set up 21 Greenfield airports across the country.
“To promote gender equality in the aviation sector, it has been advised that stakeholders increase the number of women in various positions to 25 percent by 2025 in the Indian aviation industry,” according to the ministry.
In addition, the Minister of Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu, has been promoting the adoption of conventional energy sources at airports that reduce the carbon footprint of operations.
According to the ministry, 80 airports have switched to 100% green energy use, with 12 airports making the transition by 2024.
