CHECKED-IN: India is third busiest aviation market
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With billions of dollars invested in infrastructure across more than 150 airports and more than 200 million fliers each year, air travel in India shows no sign of slowing down.

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), India is today the world’s third busiest aviation market.

As many as 176.4 million flights — both domestic and international — took off in India in the year to March 2025, up by 9 per cent over the same period in 2024. Of these, 137.7 million were domestic flights, with the top three routes being Mumbai–Delhi, Bengaluru–Delhi and Bengaluru–Mumbai.

Data show that domestic routes from Mumbai and Delhi to Kolkata have recorded the highest growth.

International traffic was up 11 per cent, at 38.6 million passengers, in the first quarter. The UAE was the most popular international destination, with 7.7 million passengers headed there (up by 8 per cent year-on-year), followed by the US (3.6 million passengers) and Saudi Arabia (3.4 million passengers).

India’s aviation industry directly employs 3,69,700 people and contributes $5.6 billion to the GDP. When the indirect, induced and tourism impacts are included, the count climbs to 7.7 million jobs and $53.6 billion of GDP (1.5 per cent), according to IATA.

“As we gather in New Delhi, India, for the 81st IATA annual general meeting and World Air Transport Summit from June 1 to 3, it is notable that Indian domestic growth is running at over 10 per cent. The development of India’s air connectivity in recent years has been nothing short of phenomenal, making this year’s gathering a timely and powerful reminder for all on how aviation connectivity drives growth and development,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.