Air passenger traffic registers 37% sequential growth in September: ICRA

Domestic air passenger traffic showed a gradual recovery in September, registering a growth of about 37% over August, but an overall decline of 66% on an annual basis due to the Covid-19 pandemic, rating agency ICRA said in a report on Monday.

While the capacity deployed by carriers during September stood at about 46% of their strength, it was a significant increase from about 33% capacity deployment during August, the agency added.

Indian airlines were grounded for about two months between March and May, as the government then initiated travel restrictions to curb the spread of the pandemic. Airlines were allowed to resume domestic operations late May in a calibrated manner. However, travel demand remains somewhat muted, as compared to last year.