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Air Traffic growth has slumped to single digit in January. This is the worst performance after the 2008 global crisis. According to the data compiled by the aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), passenger traffic in January, at 53.33 lakh, grew nearly eight per cent over the 49.36 lakh recorded in the same month last year.
A senior Civil Aviation Ministry official said, “During last calendar year airlines passenger growth had been in double digits, but withdrawal of capacity by Kingfisher, coupled with lower seat load factor, has brought down the growth rate.”
Although January is considered to be the start of the lean season, last year's growth was in double digits during that month, he added.
Except Kingfisher and GoAir, all other airlines recorded higher passenger numbers on a comparative basis. But the best performance has been by Jet and Jetlite combined, which recorded over 25 per cent growth. Jet along with Jetlite leads the market in terms of market share.
Interestingly, the demand in January was slightly higher than in December, but stayed in single digits for the second consecutive month. Despite growth in demand, growth in capacity addition was more than demand.
Indigo topped the list with nearly 86 per cent seat load factor, but less than the 90.4 per cent it logged in December. On the other hand, Kingfisher's seat load factor came down sharply from 78.3 per cent to 70.2 per cent. For other airlines, it varied between 71.2-82.5 per cent.
The overall cancellation rate for January was two per cent.
Here Air India topped the list with 4.7 per cent, while Indigo came last with 0.7 per cent. Most of the cancellations (nearly 45 per cent) were due to weather. January witnessed dense fog for several days over most of north India.
Interestingly, Kingfisher topped in terms of on time performance with 90 per cent of flights taking off on time. Air India came last with 63.8 per cent on time performance.
On time performance is defined as flights taking off within 15 minutes of the schedule time for departure.
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