Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Indian International Passenger Traffic Falls as Foreign Airlines Gain
Fewer people flew internationally from India during the April-to-June quarter than a year earlier.
Overall international passenger traffic fell by 10%.
Indian airlines lost more passengers than foreign airlines did.
Foreign airlines carried 6% more passengers, while Indian airlines carried 27% fewer.
Problems included closed or disrupted airspace, more expensive fuel and reduced flights to Gulf destinations.
Some Indian airlines also faced their own financial or operational difficulties.
Big city airports generally kept more of their traffic.
Smaller airports lost many flights, so their percentage declines were much larger.
Air India and IndiGo plan to add or restore international aircraft capacity, but it remains uncertain whether the expansion will be profitable.
International passenger traffic from India fell 10% in the April–June quarter compared with last year.
Indian carriers carried 27% fewer international passengers, while foreign airlines carried 6% more.
Indian carriers’ share of international traffic dropped from 46% to 37%; Akasa Air was the only Indian airline to grow.
Airspace disruptions, higher fuel costs, West Asia conflict and airline-specific problems contributed to the decline.
Major metro airports largely retained traffic, while several Tier 2 airports recorded much steeper percentage drops.
- Who
- Indian carriers, foreign airlines, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and airports across India.
- What
- International passenger traffic from India fell 10%, with Indian carriers losing share while foreign airlines gained traffic.
- When
- During the April-to-June quarter of the current financial year, compared with the same quarter last year.
- Where
- International routes from India, including major metro and Tier 2 airports.
- Why
- The decline was linked to airspace disruptions, higher fuel prices, the West Asia conflict, reduced Gulf connectivity and airline-specific financial or operational challenges.
- Overall traffic change
- International passenger traffic from India declined 10% year over year in the April-to-June quarter.
- Indian carriers
- Passenger traffic carried by Indian airlines fell 27%.
- Foreign carriers
- Passenger traffic carried by foreign airlines rose 6%.
- Market share
- Indian carriers’ share fell from 46% last year to 37% this year.
- Only Indian carrier with growth
- Akasa Air carried 26% more international passengers than last year.
- Largest metro decline
- Hyderabad’s international traffic fell 10% among the six metro airports.
- Notable Tier 2 decline
- Indore recorded a 93% decline in international traffic.