Economic Survey 2017-18: Indian Carriers Leave Behind China, US In Domestic Departures

India has emerged as the third largest and the fastest growing domestic aviation market in the world recording a 23.5 per cent growth in the number of domestic departures for the year 2016-17, reported Business Line.

The Indian market thus leaves behind China, 10.7 per cent, and the United States (US), 3.3 per cent in terms of increase in domestic departures.

The survey also states that the domestic carriers carried 5.75 crore passengers in during April-September 2017-18 which represents a year-on-year (YoY) growth of 16 per cent.

The number of international flyers - by both domestic as well as international carriers, stood at 2.92 crore during the same period, marking a 9 per cent YoY growth.

Domestic and international cargo handling also saw growths of 10.27 per cent and 19.02 per cent respectively during the same period.

Given the robust growth of aviation industry in India, the survey also stated that the government had given an in-principle approval for setting up of 18 new airports in several cities across the country. These include new airports in Navi Mumbai, Shirdi, Kannur, Hasan as well.