India’s typically quiet fiscal-year fourth quarter from January to March has seen an unexpected surge in travel demand this year, thanks to the Maha Kumbh and a long wedding season.
Traditionally a slow period due to board exams, this year’s season has been one of the busiest in recent history for airlines, tour planners, and hoteliers alike.
Data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) revealed that Indian carriers transported 14 million domestic passengers in February, a mere 6% decrease from December, usually the busiest month of the year.
Anil Parashar, executive director at ITQ Technologies, explained, “This February saw an all-time high of 500,000 daily passengers, mainly driven by the Maha Kumbh.”
The Maha Kumbh, which ran from mid-January to February, played a significant role in fueling this growth.
During this six-week event, Prayagraj’s airport saw a major spike in traffic, handling over 100 flights per day.
Nearby airports, including those in Lucknow, Varanasi, Ayodhya, and New Delhi, also witnessed a surge in passenger numbers.
Rajesh Magow, co-founder and CEO of MakeMyTrip, noted that more than 50% of air travelers were from major Indian cities, but there was also a significant increase in passengers from smaller towns and cities such as Mysore, Dharwad, and Mangalore, who traveled to major hubs like Bengaluru and Hyderabad for their flights.
Alongside the Kumbh, the wedding season has also contributed to the air travel boom.
Ashok Singh Rathore, area director for Rajasthan at IHCL, shared that the wedding season this year exceeded expectations.
He said, “This year’s wedding bookings at Rambagh Palace have been the highest ever, post-pandemic, with increased occupancy and average daily rates.”
New Routes & Strong Demand
India’s growing demand for travel is also reflected in the expansion of routes.
IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers highlighted the shift towards discretionary spending, particularly among younger generations seeking new experiences.
As a result, air travel demand has remained robust through traditionally slow months like January and February.
Air India Express also saw success with new routes, including services from Hindon (near New Delhi) to metros like Kolkata, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, which achieved occupancy rates above 90%.
This has spurred further expansion, with additional services launched on popular routes like Hindon-Bengaluru.
Positive Outlook For India’s Tourism Industry
Experts predict that the positive trends will continue, with Rajeev Kale from Thomas Cook noting that the combined effect of the Maha Kumbh and wedding season has given India’s air travel a strong start to the year.
Early bookings for the summer season show positive signs, reinforcing the optimism surrounding India’s growing tourism and air travel market.
In conclusion, the combination of religious events like the Maha Kumbh and the wedding season has driven record air traffic, fueling a dynamic recovery for India’s tourism and aviation sectors.
With new routes and an expanding demand for air travel, the industry is poised for further growth in the coming months.
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