New Delhi/IBNS: Indian aviation on Sunday (Nov. 17) achieved a historic milestone, surpassing 5 lakh domestic passengers in a single day for the first time.

A total of 5,05,412 passengers flew across 3,173 domestic flights, marking a significant rise in air traffic.

This milestone was the result of a consistent upward trend in recent weeks, with passenger numbers steadily climbing—4.9 lakh on Nov. 8, 4.96 lakh on Nov. 9, and nearly 5 lakh on Nov. 14, 15, and 16—before reaching the record high. 

This surge follows a subdued October, even during the Diwali season, as IndiGo reported a loss for Q2 FY25 after seven consecutive profitable quarters.

The airline attributed the dip to normalising yields from earlier high-yield periods.

Interestingly, the rise in traffic post-Diwali highlights a shift from holiday-driven travel to demand fueled by weddings and festive occasions. 

Average daily flight deployments in November stood at 3,161, a slight increase of about eight flights per day compared to the previous month but lower than peak Diwali operations.

The post-merger integration of Vistara with Air India on Nov. 12 also influenced capacity, with upgraded Dreamliner deployments on metro routes boosting seating availability despite no significant increase in flight numbers. 

However, not all carriers have expanded operations.

Akasa Air and Air India Express faced delays in fleet expansion due to a Boeing strike, while SpiceJet managed to add limited flights after resolving issues with lessors and vendors, supported by a Rs 3,000-crore infusion.

Despite these efforts, the overall growth in daily flights since early 2024 has been less than 100. 

The sector’s recovery has been bolstered by government initiatives to modernise airports and enhance air connectivity.

The upcoming launch of new airports in Delhi and Mumbai next year is expected to alleviate capacity constraints on the ground. 

This milestone reflects the resilience and adaptability of Indian aviation, which rebounded from the Covid-19 pandemic faster than the International Air Transport Association (IATA) had predicted.

With India's economy expanding and GDP growth projected between 6 percent and 7.5 percent, aviation—historically growing at twice the GDP rate—remains a critical driver of national development.

However, current growth at around 5 percent highlights the need for increased capacity to fully tap into demand. 

Achieving over 5 lakh passengers in a single day is not just a numerical feat but a psychological boost, setting a promising trajectory for Indian aviation in 2025 and beyond.