Domestic aviation traffic grew at a measly rate of 1.18% in September as compared to the year ago period, according to the monthly data released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Airlines altogether flew 1.15 crore passengers last month as compared to 1.13 crore during the same period last year.
The DGCA said in a statement that the numbers were disappointing and it pegged its annual growth to be at 4-6% for the calendar year 2019.
It, however, hopes to return to double digit growth early next year.
“The good news is that we have managed to withstand the sad exit of Jet Airways and maintained a positive growth despite three months of negative or almost flat growth. The loss in the fleet on account of Jet Airways, has largely been recovered,” Arun Kumar, Director General, DGCA, said.
India is likely to have a total of 616 aircraft by next month
“With some more aircraft joining our fleet by December 31, we expect a return to double-digit growth in the early part of next year,” Mr. Kumar added.
