Domestic airlines increase flights by 21% this winter

Airline companies are expecting the Indian traveller to fly big-time this winter.

Airline companies are expecting the Indian traveller to fly big-time this winter. The number of weekly flights operated by Indian domestic carriers will increase by a record 20.8% this year’s winter schedule.

The number of weekly flights operated by Indian domestic carriers will increase by a record 20.8% this year’s winter schedule. (Ramesh Pathania)

However, the number of airports handling scheduled commercial flights will reduce by six to 75 from last year.

“The 2016 winter schedule, which will be effective from October 30, has been approved,” said an official of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Domestic airlines will operate 16,600 weekly flights this winter as against 13,744 last year. The winter schedule stretches from the last Sunday of October till the last one of March.

Budget carrier IndiGo has added the maximum number of flights. The airline, which operated 4411 weekly flights last winter, will operate 6276 weekly flights — the highest among domestic airlines.

While Tata Group-promoted Vistara and low cost carriers SpiceJet and GoAir will substantially increase their number of flights, Air India will operate fewer flights as compared to last year.

“Most Indian carriers are expanding to tap the growing demand hence the number of flights is bound to increase,” said aviation expert Rajji Rai.

“While Bhavnagar, Mysore, Porbandar and Nanded airports dropped off the country’s aviation map this summer, Car Nicobar, Durgapur and Pondicherry will have no commercial flights from October-end. The only addition to the list is Bhavnagar airport,” the official said.