India's International Air Travel Reaches Historic Quarterly Milestone
International air travel to and from India has achieved a remarkable new benchmark, crossing the two-crore passenger mark for the first time in a single quarter during October-December 2025. This milestone represents a significant surge in global connectivity for the nation, as confirmed by the latest data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Annual Growth and North American Challenges
The calendar year 2025 witnessed a total of 7.8 crore people flying internationally to and from India, marking an 8% increase compared to the previous year's figure of 7.2 crore. This growth occurred despite notable headwinds in travel to North America. Travel to the United States remained subdued due to visa issues across multiple categories, including students and H-1B visa holders, during President Trump's second term. Similarly, Canada experienced high rejection rates for Indian visa applicants and significant issuance delays, further dampening demand in that region.
Additionally, the aviation sector faced operational challenges following the Air India 171 Ahmedabad crash in June, which led to a reduction in flights by the national carrier. Despite these obstacles, the overall upward trajectory in international travel remained robust, highlighting the resilience and expanding appetite for global mobility among Indians.
Shifting Dynamics Among Indian Carriers
The share of foreign carriers in India's international air travel market has remained static at 54%, as India has not increased the flying rights for a majority of countries whose airlines maintain a strong presence in the region. However, the landscape among Indian carriers has undergone a notable transformation.
Following the demise of Jet Airways, the Air India group emerged as the largest player in terms of flying passengers in and out of the subcontinent. This dominance, however, shifted in the July-September 2025 quarter, when IndiGo surpassed the Air India group in passenger numbers, a trend that has continued since then, as illustrated in accompanying graphics.
Passport Issuance and Future Growth Potential
Anil Kalsi, Vice President of the Travel Agents Federation of India, provided insights into the underlying factors driving this growth. "Almost 1.5 crore Indians were issued passports last year. However, only 33-35 lakh of these passport holders actually traveled abroad. This indicates a vast pool of passport holders who aspire to travel internationally but have not yet done so," he explained.
Kalsi further emphasized the synergistic effect of the growing power of the Indian passport, with more countries offering visa-on-arrival or visa-free access, combined with the rising aspirations of a booming middle class. "This segment is bound to grow by leaps and bounds for many years to come. There has been a significant increase in direct connectivity between India and new international destinations, particularly in nations frequently visited by Indians, which is fuelling this demand," he added.
Regional Trends and Economic Impact
Neighbouring countries such as Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand now count Indians among their largest foreign spenders and overseas travelers, reflecting the economic impact of Indian tourism. Officials noted that "except North America, every other region is experiencing serious growth in demand from Indian travelers. Given that Indians are high spenders, many countries are increasingly welcoming them with open arms."
This trend underscores a broader shift in global travel patterns, with Indian tourists becoming pivotal contributors to the economies of numerous destinations. The combination of enhanced passport privileges, improved air connectivity, and the aspirational drive of India's expanding middle class positions the country for sustained growth in international air travel for the foreseeable future.
