Indian domestic and international carriers are witnessing a surge in demand for summer holiday travel, particularly to Srinagar and London. Despite a notable increase in airfares, airlines have substantially boosted flight capacity to these popular destinations, according to recent aviation data.
Srinagar Sees Record Capacity Boost
The Delhi-Srinagar route has emerged as a top performer among domestic sectors, with Indian carriers deploying a 35% increase in seat capacity this summer. This surge has made it the ninth busiest route in the country. Major airlines including Air India, IndiGo, and Akasa collectively added over 200,000 seats on this route compared to the previous year, catering to the strong demand for hill station getaways. Travelers to Srinagar have faced airfares peaking up to 40% higher on certain days.
London Routes Experience Significant Growth
Internationally, London Heathrow has seen the most substantial capacity additions from India. Delhi to London Heathrow flights experienced a 15% increase in seats, while Mumbai to Heathrow saw a 12% rise. This expansion comes as some airlines reallocated capacity from Middle Eastern routes. Airfares for Delhi to London flights on domestic carriers are reportedly 35% higher, compared to a 15% increase observed with Gulf carriers.
Broader Market Trends and Challenges
The overall aviation landscape is marked by fluctuating capacity and rising costs. High aviation fuel prices, exacerbated by the West Asia crisis, have led some carriers to cut capacity on other domestic and international sectors. Air India, for instance, reduced domestic capacity by 22% and international by 27%, while IndiGo saw cuts of around 10-15%, temporarily halting flights on six international routes.
Despite these adjustments, some routes remain exceptionally busy. Mumbai to Delhi continues to be India's busiest domestic route, handling 658,000 seats, a 9% increase year-on-year. Bengaluru to Delhi follows with 431,100 seats. Internationally, Mumbai to Dubai remains the busiest route from India, despite a 10% capacity reduction. Airfares on certain metro-to-metro routes, such as Bengaluru to Delhi and Bengaluru to Mumbai, also remain elevated by 15-20%.