India’s jet fuel consumption hit an all-time high for the second consecutive month during January 2025, as the Maha Kumbh Mela helped maintain the rising momentum of domestic and international travel.

According to the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC), India’s aviation turbine fuel (ATF) usage rose by almost 9 per cent Y-o-Y to a record 780,000 tonnes last month.

The previous high was recorded in December last year, when jet fuel usage hit 778,000 tonnes as the year-end holiday season boosted both international and domestic travel.

Prior to this, ATF consumption had hit a high of 757,000 tonnes during October 2024 and 758,000 tonnes during March 2024.

Barring March 2024, month-wise ATF consumption during October 2024 to January 2025 has hit record highs, with the average usage standing at around 765,000 tonnes.

Maha Kumbh

Maha Kumbh, considered the world’s biggest gathering of people professing to a single faith in one place, commenced on January 13, and will run till February 26, 2025.

More than 45 crore devotees, including 15 lakh foreigners, are expected to visit Prayagraj, where the Maha Kumbh is held once every 12 years.

Airports as well as railways and bus stations are expected to witness a record influx of travellers. For instance, the Prayagraj airport handled 30,172 passengers and operated 226 flights in one week during the Maha Kumbh, surpassing 5,000 passengers in a single day for the first time. Besides, the Railways has so far ferried over 50 lakh passengers.

Currently, there are 132 flights operating to and from Prayagraj, with around 80,000 monthly seats. The city is connected directly with 17 cities. The total number of direct and connecting flights has now touched 26 cities.

Air fares to Prayagraj skyrocketed on high demand; many flyers even took to social media to vent their anger at the sharp increase.

This forced the government to direct airlines to check the surging fares. Airlines have been instructed to ensure that airfares remain in check and there is sufficient capacity.

Flying high

Rising spending power in the world’s fastest growing emerging economy is pushing up the demand for ATF, as more and more people are taking to the skies. This also reflects in the government’s estimates for the upcoming financial year.

Jet fuel consumption is expected to grow at almost 10 per cent annually in FY26, which is the highest among all refined petroleum products, barring natural gas.

PPAC expects India’s ATF usage to grow by 9.82 per cent in FY26 to 9.95 million tonnes (mt), against a revised estimate of 9.06 mt in FY25.

Published on February 3, 2025