Skift Take
As Go First’s operations remain suspended and financially-troubled SpiceJet’s schedule shrinks, Indigo and Air India will shoulder the bulk of responsibilities in the Indian aviation industry.
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In this year's winter schedule, Indigo will have the largest number of domestic flights among Indian airlines, with a total of 13,119 flights each week – a 30% increase from a year earlier.
Amid rising air traffic demand, Indian airlines are gearing up to operate a total of 23,732 weekly flights in the upcoming winter schedule. This marks an 8% increase compared to the same period last year, and Indian aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has given its approval for this schedule, which will be effective from October 29 to March 30.
Go First's Collapse and a Shrinking SpiceJet: Go First, which temporarily suspended its operations on May 3 and is currently undergoing insolvency resolution proceedings, will not be operating any flights during this winter schedule.
SpiceJet has a schedule of 2,132 weekly domestic departures this winter as opposed to 2,240 this summer and 3,193 last winter.
New Airports: The DGCA has stated that the winter schedule for 2023 encompasses 23,732 weekly departures to and from 118 airports. Of these airports, nine new ones are being introduced — Bhatinda, Jaisalmer, Ludhiana, Nanded, Shivamogga, Salem, Utkela, Hindon, and Ziro.
Air India Group: In the latest winter schedule, Air India is also increasing its weekly flights by 19%, totaling 2,367. Air India Express and AirAsia India, now known as AIX Connect, will jointly operate 1,940 weekly flights in this year's winter schedule. Vistara, on the other hand, is set to operate 1,902 flights