When will the employee unrest in Indian aviation end?
India’s domestic air travel is yet to show a sustained recovery more than two years after the pandemic.
India’s daily domestic air traffic was approximately 4.25 lakh passengers before Covid-19 struck. On Wednesday, Indian airlines carried 70% of that number at 2.95 lakh.
On April 17, almost 4.08 lakh passengers took to the skies, crossing the 4 lakh mark for the first time in two years. But the momentum was short-lived.
High jet fuel price is also hitting airlines’ profitability. Fuel accounts for around 40% of an airline’s operating expenses. A weakening rupee doubled the challenge as key cost items, notably fuel, maintenance and lease rentals are priced in dollars.
