With aviation fuel prices having fallen significantly in the last 12 months, even Air India is on target to post an operating profit in its current financial year. This will be the first time since the merger with Indian Airlines (in 2011) that the Indian flag carrier has achieved this. Apart from low fuel prices, joining the Star Alliance in June 2014 has also clearly been beneficial to the carrier, which currently has a fleet of over 100 aircraft, including 21 787-8s. In 2015 the airline will have carried around 18 million passengers, of which just over 30% are on international flights. Despite being the national carrier, Air India ranks only third among domestic carriers with around one-sixth of the market. IndiGo with over 35% of the market, and Jet Airways with between 18% and 19%, both transport more air passengers between Indian airports.
On international routes from Indian airports, Air India ranks second behind Jet Airways, with Emirates in third place. If capacity provided by Air India Express is added to that of Air India, the two combined are bigger than Jet Airways, though still account for just 16.5% of international seat capacity this January. With the notorious “5/20” rule still in place (Indian carriers can only operate internationally once they have been operating for five years domestically and must have at least 20 aircraft), only one other Indian carrier appears in the list of busiest airlines operating internationally to/from India.
12/01/16 anna.aero
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On international routes from Indian airports, Air India ranks second behind Jet Airways, with Emirates in third place. If capacity provided by Air India Express is added to that of Air India, the two combined are bigger than Jet Airways, though still account for just 16.5% of international seat capacity this January. With the notorious “5/20” rule still in place (Indian carriers can only operate internationally once they have been operating for five years domestically and must have at least 20 aircraft), only one other Indian carrier appears in the list of busiest airlines operating internationally to/from India.
12/01/16 anna.aero
