As per the news report, domestic air traffic in India touched an all-time high after 2,978 flights were operated on April 30, 2023, amid a surge in travel demand. The country’s aviation industry has been gradually recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the number of daily flights increasing steadily. The previous record for the highest number of flights operated in a day was 2,891, which was set in December 2019. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has also said that the number of passengers traveling on domestic flights has been steadily increasing, with over 2.5 million passengers traveling in the last week of April 2023. However, the aviation sector continues to face various challenges, including rising fuel prices and a shortage of skilled manpower, among others.
The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted the aviation industry in India, with the government suspending all domestic and international flight operations in March 2020 to contain the spread of the virus. Domestic flight operations resumed in a phased manner in May 2020 with limited capacity, but the number of flights remained significantly lower than pre-pandemic levels.
However, with the vaccination drive picking up pace in the country, and the easing of travel restrictions, the demand for air travel has been gradually increasing. To meet the growing demand, airlines have been increasing their flight frequencies and expanding their route networks. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has also been taking various measures to support the aviation industry, including providing financial assistance and easing regulatory norms.
Despite the recent surge in domestic air traffic, the aviation sector continues to face challenges, such as rising fuel prices, a shortage of skilled manpower, and high operating costs. Additionally, the emergence of new COVID-19 variants and the risk of fresh waves of infections remain a concern for the industry.
