India which is rising high in the field of aviation now attained a still higher position by pushing Japan back, achieving a 3rd spot in domestic air traffic behind USA and China.
Background
USA topped the list with 719 million passengers in 2016, which is followed by China with 436 million passengers. India attained 3rd spot with 100 million passengers in 2016. India pushed back Japan which had only 97 million passengers last year. These reports are prepared by aviation think-tank Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA).
India’s growth
Domestic air traffic in India had a 20 to 25% growth in the year 2015-16 and it attained its peak in January this year at 25.13 %.
- This is due to the rise in demand of about 16 per cent in February this year, ending the long streak of over 20 per cent.
- Further based on the review made by CAPA, India which is placed at 4th position in terms of overall air passenger traffic (both domestic and international) along with the UK, may become the 3rd largest by March next year.
Reason behind the growth
- The main reason behind the growth of Indian domestic air traffic is nothing but the Air
Service Agreement between several states with the Ministry of Civil Aviation in India headed by Ashok Gajapathi Raju. - India is also planning to have maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services indigenously.
- In addition to that 100% FDI under automatic route has now been allowed in Brownfield Airport projects
Service Agreement between several states with the Ministry of Civil Aviation in India headed by Ashok Gajapathi Raju.Civil aviation in India
Civil aviation in India took its first commercial civil aviation flight which took off from Allahabad for Naini in the year 1911.
- IndiGo, Jet Airways, Air India, Spicejet and GoAir are the major carriers in order of their market share in India.
- The largest airline based on passenger traffic was the Jet Airways followed by Air India and AI Express. In third place was Emirates, which is the largest foreign airline operating in India.
