Air India declared as Number one carrier in October-December’08

Economic crisis had hit the tourism in India last year, whole travel industry including the airlines industry was affected by it, and still Air India emerged as number one in passenger carriage as well as aircraft movement globally. Though in overall share Gulf carriers lead the market in passenger carriage. Jet Airways has the second highest aircraft movement, is third on the passenger carriage list with a 9% market share. After starting international operations last year Kingfisher airlines is at number 46.

The figures reported by AAI this year shows Gulf airlines dominated the past giants The European carriers. The 71% market share is dominated by top 20 airlines out of which Gulf carriers control 27% with Emirates on top. The others are Air Arabia, Qatar Airways, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Oman Air, Gulf Air, Etihad and Kuwait Airways. Five South-East Asian airlines cover the 13% of market share in the top-20 list that includes Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Thai, Sri Lankan airlines and Malaysian airlines.

Rupees 11 billion to be paid by Airlines to the Airport Operators

Airports Authority of India said that Airlines owe it Rupees 11 Billion, out of which Air India alone has to pay Rupees 7 Billion. Though airport has given airline operators an ample of time to clear dues but still they need money for upgrading the airports and government also approved the airports development fee for raising fund for the development of airports. Already 20 airports including Kolkata and Chennai are being upgraded by AAI by investing Rs 120 billion.

Delhi International Airport Ltd. (DIAL) has already started charging Rs 200 from domestic passengers and Rs 1300 from international passengers as development fee from March 1st onwards. The one upgrading the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai will charge Rs 100 per trip from domestic passengers and Rs 600 from international passengers April 1st onwards. Greenfield Airports at Hyderabad and Bangalore charges Rs 375 and Rs 260 from domestic passengers and Rs 1000 from international passengers on Airline Tickets.