This passage outlines the evolving landscape of aviation in India, highlighting the growth and distribution of domestic passenger footfalls over the past decade. Here’s a breakdown of the key points and details provided:
1. Growth in Domestic Passenger Traffic:
– In 2014, India had 6.73 crore domestic passengers, which more than doubled to 15.20 crore in 2023.
– This significant increase in passenger traffic has been attributed to various factors, including the operationalization of new airports and initiatives like RCS-UDAN.
2. Uneven Growth Across Airports:
– While the overall domestic footfalls have increased, the growth rates among airports have been uneven.
– Hyderabad and Bengaluru experienced substantial growth, with footfalls surging 3.5 times and 3.2 times, respectively, over the past decade.
– In contrast, Mumbai and Chennai saw relatively lower growth rates, just short of doubling their traffic.
– Other airports like Ahmedabad, Pune, Guwahati, and Delhi also witnessed significant growth during this period.
3. Changing Footfall Distribution:
– In 2014, the top 10 airports accounted for 75% of the country’s domestic footfall, with the top six metros contributing 64%.
– However, by 2024, although the total footfalls increased, the share of the top 10 airports decreased to 69%, with the top six metros handling only 59%.
– This indicates a spread of passenger traffic across multiple airports, including those in non-metro areas like Chandigarh, Srinagar, Coimbatore, Jaipur, Indore, Varanasi, and Lucknow.
4. Implications and Considerations:
– The shift in traffic distribution suggests that non-metro areas, often referred to as “Bharat,” are catching up in terms of aviation growth.
– This trend could indicate better prospects for regional aviation in India, although the sector remains highly competitive and challenging.
– Initiatives like RCS-UDAN and the introduction of IndiGo’s ATRs have played a significant role in incentivizing airlines to expand their operations beyond metro cities and provide better connectivity to non-metro regions.
– The narrowing price difference between metro and non-metro passengers may further encourage the development of regional carriers in the future.
The provided passage discusses the transformation and growth of India’s aviation sector over the past decade, focusing on domestic footfalls and the changing dynamics among airports. Here’s a breakdown and explanation of the key points:
1. Growth in Airport Infrastructure: The passage mentions Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating several airport projects worth over ₹9,000 crore, highlighting the government’s focus on infrastructure development before the general elections.
2. Expansion of Operational Airports: Over the last decade, the number of operational airports in India has increased significantly, from below 70 to over 140. This expansion has played a crucial role in accommodating the surge in domestic passengers.
3. Rapid Growth in Passenger Traffic: Domestic passenger traffic has more than doubled from 6.73 crore in 2014 to 15.20 crore in 2023, indicating a substantial increase in air travel within the country.
4. Shift in Traffic Distribution: While the top 10 airports have remained consistent over the years, there has been a notable shift in the distribution of passenger traffic. Smaller airports, including those outside the top 10, have experienced significant growth, leading to a decrease in the share of total footfalls handled by the top six and top 10 airports.
5. Uneven Growth Among Major Airports: Despite overall growth, the increase in passenger traffic has been uneven across major airports. For example, Hyderabad and Bengaluru have seen substantial growth, while Mumbai and Chennai have experienced comparatively lower growth rates.
6. Reasons for Traffic Redistribution: The redistribution of passenger traffic can be attributed to various factors, including the addition of new airports, capacity constraints at metro airports, and initiatives like RCS-UDAN (Regional Connectivity Scheme – Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik), which incentivize airlines to operate flights to underserved regions.
7.Significance of Regional Aviation: The shift in traffic indicates the growing importance of regional aviation and connectivity to non-metro cities. This trend suggests that the aviation sector is evolving beyond the dominance of metro cities, reflecting broader economic growth and increased travel demand from non-metro regions.
8. Role of Incentives and Connectivity: Initiatives like RCS-UDAN and the introduction of regional aircraft like IndiGo’s ATRs have played a crucial role in facilitating connectivity to non-metro cities. These incentives have encouraged airlines to expand their operations beyond metro hubs, thereby improving accessibility and connectivity across the country.
Overall, the passage highlights the dynamic nature of India’s aviation sector, with a shift towards greater regional connectivity and the emergence of non-metro airports as key players in the country’s air travel landscape.
Overall, the passage highlights the dynamic changes in India’s aviation sector, with a focus on the shifting patterns of domestic passenger footfalls and the implications for both metro and non-metro airports.