Report: Indian Airlines to Increase Winter Flight Operations by 8%

Indian airlines are gearing up for the upcoming winter season by planning to increase their flight operations by more than 8% compared to the previous year. Regulatory data reveals that a total of 23,732 flight departures will occur every week during the winter season. This figure is not only higher than the previous year but also 1.4% greater than the winter schedule of 2019, which preceded the COVID-19 pandemic. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) authorizes flight departures for Indian airlines biannually, covering both summer and winter schedules, and the winter schedule is scheduled to be in effect from October 29 to March 30.

Indian carriers, especially major ones, are preparing for significant expansion in their operations. IndiGo, the country’s largest airline, is set to undergo the most substantial increase, with plans to operate 30% more flights than the previous year. Air India is also expected to grow its operations by 19%. In contrast, Vistara is planning a 2% decrease in its flight deployments. The absence of low-cost carrier Go First, which ceased operations in May, has left a gap of over 1,300 flight departures, as Go First had an extensive flight schedule in the previous winter season. Akasa Air is anticipated to experience a 5% increase in weekly flight departures compared to the summer schedule and a remarkable 65% surge from the last winter schedule. Meanwhile, SpiceJet continues to grapple with capacity issues, with a 33% drop from the previous year and a 5% decrease from the summer schedule. The increased flights and capacity are likely to have a positive impact on ticket prices.

The ‘Winter Schedule 2023’ has been meticulously planned following a slot conference held in September 2023, with final slot clearances obtained from respective airport operators through the eGCA portal. This expansion in flight departures will serve 118 airports, and several new airports have been proposed by scheduled airlines in the ‘Winter Schedule 2023.’ According to The Financial Express, IndiGo is expected to lead this expansion with 13,119 weekly flight departures, followed by Air India with 2,367, SpiceJet with 2,132, Vistara with 1,902, and AirAsia India with 1,457 approved flights.