Aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has indicated that the Indian airlines have registered 24.14% growth in domestic passengers during the month of February, on the back of increased tourist-season demand. It noted that in February, domestic airlines flew 1.07 crore passengers compared to 86.55 lakh passengers flown during the corresponding period last year.
According to the data, the SpiceJet continued to maintain its pole position on the load factor front by flying its planes 96.3% seats full, followed by IndiGo, which flew its planes with 91.8% seats full. Vistara came third by flying its planes with 91.2% seats full. Besides, the SpiceJet also took the lead on 'on-time performance' at 78%, while the IndiGo clocked 74.8% and the Vistara closely following third at 73.8%. The on-time performance of the Air India was at 68.8%. The performance was computed based on data from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad airports.
The DGCA further revealed that IndiGo led the industry with the highest market share of 39.9%, followed by Jet Airways (14.6%) and Air India (13.2%). However, the data stated that more number of flights were cancelled in February this year (0.89%) as compared to the corresponding period last year (0.39%), affecting 44,294 passengers. It cited technical factors as the prime reason for the cancellations.