Chennai: Indian domestic air traffic in September plummeted 9.9 per cent compared with a year ago. This was the worst performance for any market, reflecting the slowing economy and capacity reductions that have suppressed domestic air travel.
The September capacity fell 5.9 per cent, decreasing the load factor 2.9 percentage points to 64.9 per cent, the lowest of any market, says International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents some 240 airlines comprising 84 per cent of global air traffic. IATA drew a parallel between China’s domestic travel growth due to that country’s growing economy, and the drop in India’s traffic due to slowing economic conditions.
Among domestic markets, the IATA report said that air travel in China grew strongly, expanding 11.4 per cent in September compared to the same month last year.
15/11/12 TE Raja Simhan/Business Line
