Domestic air passenger traffic rose to 1.12 crore in December 2017, up 16.99 per cent from 95.52 lakh reported for the corresponding month of 2016, official data shows. The total domestic air passenger traffic had risen to 1.04 crore in November. Data furnished by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) revealed that passenger traffic during the January-December 2017 period grew by over 17 per cent. “Passengers carried by domestic airlines during January-December 2017 were 1,171.76 lakh as against 998.88 lakh during the corresponding period of previous year thereby registering a growth of 17.31 per cent,” the DGCA said in its monthly domestic traffic report.

According to the data, low-cost carrier SpiceJet had the highest passenger load factor (PLF)--a measure of capacity utilisation of the airline--at 95.6 per cent during December. “It's an exciting time for us. SpiceJet yet again recorded the highest PLF in the industry. The December 2017 figure of 95.6 per cent reinstates our popularity and showcases us an airline for the customers,” said SpiceJet’s Chief Sales and Revenue Officer Shilpa Bhatia. “This is the 33rd month in a row that SpiceJet has had an excess of 90 per cent PLF, a feat unparalleled in the aviation industry.”

SpiceJet was followed by budget passenger carriers GoAir with PLF at 92 per cent and IndiGo at 90.8 per cent. “The passenger load factor in the month of December 2017 has shown increasing trend compared to previous month primarily due to the ongoing tourist season,” the monthly statistical analysis said.