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India’s Domestic Air Passenger Traffic Records Double-Digit Growth In February, Says IATA

China was the fastest-growing market with revenue passenger kilometre growth of 11.4%.

Passengers stand with luggage trolleys outside Delhi International Airport in New Delhi, India. (Photographer: T. Narayan/Bloomberg)
Passengers stand with luggage trolleys outside Delhi International Airport in New Delhi, India. (Photographer: T. Narayan/Bloomberg)

India registered double-digit growth in domestic air passenger traffic for the 54th consecutive month in February, global airlines' body The International Air Transport Association.

In February, neighbouring China was the fastest-growing domestic market with revenue passenger kilometre growth of 11.4 percent while that of India stood at 10 percent.

RPK is a measure of passenger volumes.

IATA said annual growth in industry-wide RPKs eased to 5.3 percent in February, broadly in line with its long-run average rate of growth.

Noting that India and Russia also posted double-digit annual growth in February, the grouping said the two markets continue to perform strongly.

"For India, this marks the 54th consecutive month of double-digit domestic RPK growth. A generally solid economic backdrop combined with continued growth in the number of airport pairs have all contributed to this sustained growth performance," it said.

India is one of the fastest-growing domestic aviation markets in the world.

IATA Director General and Chief Executive Officer Alexandre de Juniac said continuing trade tensions between the U.S. and China, and unresolved uncertainty over Brexit are also weighing on the outlook for travel.

“While overall economic confidence appears to be softening, aviation continues to deliver solid results, helping to sustain global commerce and the movement of people,” he added.