International air traffic grows at jet speed

New Delhi: Soaring crude price may have hiked tariffs and pushed passenger traffic in the domestic aviation sector into the negative growth orbit, but it has failed to dent the morale of international air travellers. According to government data, international traffic continued to grow at a healthy clip during April-June, touching 20% in some airports like Kochi.
International traffic from Chennai increased 13.3% while the busy Delhi airport witnessed a 8% growth. In comparison, domestic traffic across the country witnessed a negative growth in June. In the case of Chennai airport, domestic traffic declined by 5.24% during April-June while Delhi managed to stay in the positive turf with 8% growth.
“Even if the overall growth in the sector has stunted due to high cost of flying, airfare on international routes has significantly moderated. Airlines might have effected an increase in fuel surcharge due to soaring jet fuel price, but overall fares have remained more or less the same,” Singapore Airlines spokesperson said.
While capacity in the domestic sector has been cut 15%, international carriers have almost maintained their capacity on the routes connecting India. Lufthansa, Cathay Pacific and Qatar Airways are planing to increase their flights to India.
06/08/08 Nirbhay Kumar & Vishakha Talreja/Economic Times

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

Categories: Air India - International Aug 2008, Foreign Aug 2008