India has recorded the second highest growth in domestic air traffic in the world for the month of February, preceded only by Brazil. However, the high rise is masking the financial weakness facing the Indian carriers.
As per the global airline body International Air Transport Association (IATA), India experienced the second strongest growth among the major domestic markets at 12.3%. However, this growth comes with the inherent weaknesses facing the Indian airlines in terms of high operating costs and taxation. Nonetheless India's carriers filled 75.4% of seats.
Globally, Brazil had the fastest growth compared to the previous year as the demand was up by 17.9%. The global traffic for February showed an 8.6% improvement in passenger demand and a 5.2% rise in cargo demand compared to the same month in the previous year. Since the economic outlook for the world remains fragile, business class travel growth is expected to be subdued.
IATA has also pointed out that ill-conceived policy initiatives that over-regulate, excessively tax or otherwise restrain the aviation industry prevent it from being the catalyst for economic growth that it can be. Like in the UK, apart from the rapid rise in oil prices, there was hiking air passenger duty. Europe too was adding to the cost burden by including international aviation in its emissions trading scheme. Hence as the economic risks are diminishing, political risks are on the rise.
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