Skift Take
Indian travelers' growing demand for nonstop flights is a big win for local airlines, but they’ve got a tough road ahead. Middle Eastern and European carriers aren’t backing down without a fight.
The Skift India Newsletter is your go-to platform for all news related to travel, tourism, airlines, and hospitality in India.
More Indian passengers are opting for direct international flights, according to aviation consultancy firm OAG. The firm compared data from 2019 with 2023, and found that even though India’s international air traffic last year was 600,000 lesser than 2019, the number of passengers flying directly to their destination increased by 2 million.
On the other hand, passengers making indirect trips declined by 2.5 million. The firm attributed the growth to more international flights by IndiGo and Air India, along with the introduction of international connectivity by new Indian carrier — Akasa. More international airlines operating the Indian market have also led to increased direct connectivity and more options for Indian travelers.
India’s largest carrier IndiGo, which recently placed its first-ever order for widebody aircraft, plans to offer nonstop connectivity from major Indian airports to global destinations.
Talking at the Skift India Summit this year, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson made a case for direct connectivity, "It may not be convenient to get on a flight for three or four hours, land in the wee hours of the morning, sit in an airport for an hour and a half or two hours or three hours or longer,