In a significant shift in India's aviation landscape, budget carrier IndiGo has surged ahead to capture the top spot in the international passenger market. Official data for the July-September 2025 quarter reveals that the airline operated by InterGlobe Aviation has outperformed the combined might of the Air India Group, marking a pivotal moment in the industry.
DGCA Data Reveals Market Shift
The figures released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) paint a clear picture of IndiGo's commanding lead. During the quarter, IndiGo transported a total of 41.36 lakh passengers on international routes. This comprised 19.88 lakh arrivals into India and 21.47 lakh departures.
In stark contrast, the combined international traffic for the Air India Group fell short. Air India carried 23.76 lakh passengers (11.79 lakh arrivals, 11.97 lakh departures), while its subsidiary Air India Express added 17.21 lakh (8.08 lakh arrivals, 9.13 lakh departures). The sum of both airlines' traffic was notably less than IndiGo's standalone figure.
The Impact of the AI171 Tragedy
Analysts point to a catastrophic event as a key driver behind this market realignment. The operational capacity of Air India was severely impacted following the deadly crash of flight AI171 on 12 June 2025. The aircraft, which crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, resulted in the deaths of 260 people, including 229 passengers, 12 crew members, and 19 individuals on the ground.
A preliminary report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) indicated that both engines of the aircraft shut down unexpectedly within 90 seconds of takeoff, leading to a rapid descent. In the aftermath, Air India implemented a capacity reduction on its network.
IndiGo swiftly moved to fill this void, scaling up its operations on key international routes. This agile response allowed the low-cost carrier to rapidly expand its market presence while its competitor was constrained.
Legal Hurdles for IndiGo
Despite its market success, IndiGo is not without challenges. On Wednesday, the Delhi High Court declined to entertain a new Public Interest Litigation (PIL). The PIL had demanded that the central government and IndiGo compensate passengers with four times the ticket price for flights cancelled in November and December. These cancellations were linked to the implementation of new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules for pilots.
The court noted that a similar matter was already being addressed in a separate, pending PIL. It advised the petitioner to seek intervention in that existing case instead. "We decline to entertain this petition with liberty to the petitioner to seek intervention in the pending petition," the court stated.
The July-September 2025 data underscores a period of intense volatility in Indian aviation. While IndiGo has capitalized on an opportunity to solidify its international footprint, the Air India Group is navigating the complex aftermath of a tragedy. The coming quarters will reveal if this shift is a temporary disruption or a more permanent change in the hierarchy of Indian carriers on global routes.
