Air passenger traffic takes a hit, declines 2.9% in April-September

NEW DELHI: Air passenger traffic in India has slipped into contraction, declining 2.9% in the April-September period, with international travel taking a bigger hit than domestic flying. While domestic passenger traffic fell 1.9%, international traffic was down a sharper 7.1%. The slowdown comes at a time when airlines are grappling with the fallout of the conflict in West Asia.

Higher aviation turbine fuel costs, airspace disruptions and longer flight routes have added to operating expenses, forcing airlines to trim capacity or flights and raise fares. The resulting increase in travel costs may also be weighing on passenger demand. Commercial LPG prices hiked ₹10/cylinder; ATF hiked ₹1.37/litre Commercial LPG prices hiked ₹10/cylinder; ATF hiked ₹1.37/litre The price of Aviation Turbine Fuel was also hiked by ₹1.37 per litre.

It now costs ₹138.5 per litre Commercial LPG prices hiked ₹10/cylinder; ATF hiked ₹1.37/litre storyline 1 The weakness follows a year of near-stagnant growth.