Rise in flow of International Passengers

Passengers carried by Indian and overseas scheduled carriers for scheduled international operations in Q1 2023 show an increase of approximately 88% over Q1 2022 passenger data according to available interim data.

The number of international passengers has been negatively impacted due to the COVID-19. However, the situation has improved as witnessed by the rebound of air travelers after the resumption of scheduled international commercial passenger operations on 27.03.2022.

The market share of domestic scheduled airlines for international passengers has not shown an increase according to available provisional data.

To attract domestic and international passengers and boost the aviation industry in the country, the government has, inter alia, taken the following measures:

(i) To improve regional connectivity in the domestic sector, the Ministry manages the UDAN programme.

(ii) In the international sector, 18 tourist destinations of India have been made available for SAARC (except Afghanistan and Pakistan) and ASEAN countries from/to which designated carriers of India as well as designated carriers of SAARC and ASEAN countries can operate unlimited operations. Furthermore, in accordance with the National Civil Aviation Policy, 2016, the government has, on a reciprocal basis, offered open pit agreements to SAARC countries and countries located over 5000km from Delhi. As of today, India has open-air agreements with 23 countries which have facilitated unlimited operations between India and these countries.

This information was given by the Minister of State at the Ministry of Civil Aviation Gen. (Dr) VK Singh (Retd) in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.

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YB/DNS/PS