MUMBAI- The skies between Europe and India are busier than ever, with air travel capacity reaching unprecedented levels in 2024 all thanks to Air India (AI).
Tata-owned Air India is launching more flights to Europe than ever before fueled by the addition of new and leased widebody aircraft.
Air India Leads Europe-India Market
According to a recent analysis by AIR SERVICE ONE, based on Cirium schedules data, the monthly non-stop one-way seat capacity between these two regions is poised to surpass half a million seats for the first time in October 2024.
This is a big milestone that underscores the robust growth in air connectivity between Europe and India, reflecting increasing economic ties and cultural exchanges.
The current landscape of Europe-India air travel is particularly noteworthy. August 2024 shows a remarkable 49% increase in capacity compared to August 2019, a pre-pandemic benchmark.
This growth is partly attributed to new routes, such as Air India’s recently launched service connecting Bangalore International Airport (BLR) to London Gatwick (LGW).
Leading Airlines and Market Dynamics
The Europe-India route is currently served by 16 airlines, with six carriers dominating the market:
- Air India: Leading with 114,000 one-way seats, up 36% from 2019
- Lufthansa (LH): Offering 69,000 seats, a 4% increase
- British Airways (BA): Providing 61,000 seats, up 17%
- Vistara (UK): A new entrant with 46,000 seats
- Virgin Atlantic (VS): Showing significant growth with 36,000 seats, a 280% increase
- IndiGo (6E): Demonstrating explosive growth with 32,000 seats, up 371%
New players in this market include Vistara, LOT Polish Airlines (LO), and Neos SpA, (NO) indicating growing interest from diverse carriers in serving this route.
Vistara is merging with Air India and this will further boost Air India’s European and other international routes. Post-merger Air India will offer 160,000 one-way seats almost 31 percent of the total market share.
Also Read: Air India Schedules Double Daily Flights to Toronto, Canada | Exclusive – Aviation A2Z
Airport Hubs and Destinations
On the Indian side, nine airports now offer non-stop flights to Europe. However, the traffic is heavily concentrated:
- Delhi International Airport (DEL): 50% of total seats
- Mumbai International Airport (BOM): 29% of seats
- Bengaluru (BLR): 11% of seats
- Remaining six airports: 10% of seats
In Europe, 18 airports provide direct connections to India. Interestingly, some shifts have occurred since 2019:
- New services: London Gatwick (LGW), Milan Bergamo (MXP), and Warsaw Chopin (WAW)
- Discontinued services: Stockholm Arlanda (ARN), Madrid (MAD), and Kiev Boryspil (KBP)
Top European Countries by seats served:
- UK: 175,000 seats, up 73%
- Germany: 95,000 seats, up 21%
- Türkiye: 57,000 seats, up 98%
- France: 54,000 seats, up 91%
- Netherlands: 33,000 seats, up 154%
A total of 13 European countries have flights to India, showing a diverse and expanding market.
The top European hubs for India-bound flights are London Heathrow (LHR), Frankfurt (FRA), Istanbul (IST), Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), and Amsterdam (AMS).
Looking Ahead
The data presented in the graph shows a clear upward trend in capacity, despite a significant dip around 2020 (due to the COVID-19 pandemic). The recovery and subsequent growth have been swift and substantial, with current capacity levels far exceeding pre-pandemic figures.
As we approach October 2024, the anticipated milestone of 500,000 monthly seats signifies not just a recovery but a transformation in Europe-India air travel. This growth reflects increasing demand for business travel, tourism, and diaspora connections between these two regions.
The diversity of airlines and airports involved in this route suggests a competitive and dynamic market. New entrants and significant capacity increases from carriers like Virgin Atlantic and IndiGo indicate confidence in the market’s potential.
Tail Note
The Europe-India air corridor is experiencing a golden age of connectivity. With capacity up 49% compared to 2019 and poised to break new records, the stage is set for increased cultural exchange, business opportunities, and tourism between these two diverse regions.
The Europe-India market showcases the rapid recovery and growth that is evident from late 2020 onwards, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
As more airlines enter the market and existing players expand their offerings, passengers can expect more choices, potentially better prices, and increased convenience in their travel plans.
The future of Europe-India air travel looks bright, promising to bring these two regions closer than ever before.
What are your thoughts on Europe-India Market dynamics? Will Air India continue to conquer the sector or other carriers will challenge the dominance? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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The post Air India Fuels Europe-India Aviation Market with More than 20% Share appeared first on Aviation A2Z.