India has ascended to the position of the world's third-largest domestic aviation market, a milestone highlighted by President Droupadi Murmu during her address to the joint sitting of Parliament.
President Murmu underscored the remarkable growth in the aviation sector over the past decade, emphasizing the substantial benefits for Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
In her speech, President Murmu noted the exponential increase in the number of airline sectors, which surged from 209 in April 2014 to 605 by April 2024. This expansion in aviation routes has significantly boosted connectivity for smaller cities across the country.
"India is now the world's third-largest domestic aviation market," President Murmu declared, pointing to the transformative impact on regional connectivity. She highlighted that the increased air traffic demand has prompted airlines to expand their fleets, contributing to a growing number of airports.
Between January and May 2024, domestic airlines transported 661.42 lakh passengers, up from 636.07 lakh during the same period the previous year, according to official data. This surge in passenger numbers reflects the rising demand for air travel within the country.
President Murmu also emphasized India's robust economic growth, noting that the nation has averaged an annual growth rate of 8 percent from 2021 to 2024. Additionally, she highlighted India's impressive leap from being the world's 11th-largest economy to the 5th largest in just a decade.
The President reaffirmed the government's commitment to enhancing the country's public transport system, aiming to make it one of the best in the world. The expansion of the aviation sector and improvements in public transport infrastructure are pivotal to India's broader economic development and integration of regional economies.