+
Icra: Domestic air travel to exceed pre-Covid levels
AVIATION & AIRPORTS

Icra: Domestic air travel to exceed pre-Covid levels

Icra reported that the domestic aviation industry is anticipated to exceed the pre-Covid levels of 141.2 million and attain a range of 150-155 million in the current fiscal year. This would indicate an estimated growth of 8-13 percent, as stated by the credit ratings agency. Additionally, Icra projected a considerable decrease in the industry's net loss for the following two fiscal years. The agency also expressed the opinion that supply-chain challenges and engine failure issues might persist as near-term obstacles.

Icra maintained a stable outlook on the domestic aviation industry in light of the ongoing recovery in domestic and international air passenger traffic, along with a relatively stable cost environment. According to the agency, the momentum in traffic growth is expected to persist in FY2025, with a similar estimated year-on-year growth. This is anticipated to be supported by increasing demand for both leisure and business travel and enhancements in airport infrastructure.

In FY2023, the international passenger traffic for Indian carriers surpassed pre-Covid levels, although it lagged behind the peak levels of 25.9 million observed in FY2019, according to Icra. The ratings agency predicts that this level will be surpassed in the current fiscal year, with an estimated 25-27 million passengers, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 7-12 percent. Furthermore, it is anticipated to grow by 7-12 percent more, reaching 27-29 million in FY2025.

Icra's Vice President and Sector Head for corporate ratings, Suprio Banerjee, stated, The industry has witnessed improved pricing power, as reflected in an increase in yields and thus the spread between revenue per available seat kilometre-cost per available seat kilometre (RASK-CASK) for the airlines. He added that the same is expected to remain favourable, supported by a decline in aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices and the relatively stable foreign exchange rates.

Icra reported that the domestic aviation industry is anticipated to exceed the pre-Covid levels of 141.2 million and attain a range of 150-155 million in the current fiscal year. This would indicate an estimated growth of 8-13 percent, as stated by the credit ratings agency. Additionally, Icra projected a considerable decrease in the industry's net loss for the following two fiscal years. The agency also expressed the opinion that supply-chain challenges and engine failure issues might persist as near-term obstacles. Icra maintained a stable outlook on the domestic aviation industry in light of the ongoing recovery in domestic and international air passenger traffic, along with a relatively stable cost environment. According to the agency, the momentum in traffic growth is expected to persist in FY2025, with a similar estimated year-on-year growth. This is anticipated to be supported by increasing demand for both leisure and business travel and enhancements in airport infrastructure. In FY2023, the international passenger traffic for Indian carriers surpassed pre-Covid levels, although it lagged behind the peak levels of 25.9 million observed in FY2019, according to Icra. The ratings agency predicts that this level will be surpassed in the current fiscal year, with an estimated 25-27 million passengers, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 7-12 percent. Furthermore, it is anticipated to grow by 7-12 percent more, reaching 27-29 million in FY2025. Icra's Vice President and Sector Head for corporate ratings, Suprio Banerjee, stated, The industry has witnessed improved pricing power, as reflected in an increase in yields and thus the spread between revenue per available seat kilometre-cost per available seat kilometre (RASK-CASK) for the airlines. He added that the same is expected to remain favourable, supported by a decline in aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices and the relatively stable foreign exchange rates.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Resources

NCC Founder and Padma Shri Awardee AVS Raju Passes Away at 89

Dr Alluri Venkata Satyanarayana Raju, founder and Chairman Emeritus of NCC Limited and a Padma Shri awardee, passed away in Hyderabad on 13 October 2026. He was 89.Born on 18 April 1937 in Antarvedipalem village in Andhra Pradesh's erstwhile East Godavari district, Raju began his entrepreneurial journey in 1956. He established Nagarjuna Construction Company (NCC) Limited in 1978, which subsequently emerged as one of India's leading construction and infrastructure companies.Under his leadership, NCC became a public limited company in 1990 and expanded into one of India's prominent listed constr..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Embraer to Acquire 51 Per Cent Stake in Mahindra Aerospace Arm

Brazilian aerospace major Embraer will acquire a 51 per cent equity stake in Novavayu Aerospace, a step-down subsidiary of Mahindra and Mahindra, under an Investment Agreement notified by the automobile company in an exchange filing. The transaction will give Embraer control of the aerospace business. Following completion of the acquisition, Novavayu Aerospace will cease to be a wholly owned subsidiary and become an associate of Mahindra Defence Systems, which is a step-down wholly owned subsidiary of Mahindra and Mahindra. The agreement is expected to be completed on or before December 1. Mah..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

RBI Opens Special Dollar Window for Three State-Run OMCs

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has opened a special facility to meet the entire daily US dollar requirements of three public sector oil marketing companies (OMCs), in a move aimed at easing pressure on the Indian rupee. The facility will take effect on October 12, 2026, and remain available until further notice. Indian Oil Corporation, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation and Bharat Petroleum Corporation are eligible to use the arrangement. Under the facility, the RBI will sell US dollars to the three companies through designated banks, allowing them to meet their oil-import payments without sourc..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code