IndiGo Becomes World’s Second Fastest Growing Airline in Seat Capacity
New Delhi, March 7 – IndiGo Airlines has emerged as the world’s second-fastest-growing airline in terms of seat capacity, witnessing a 10.1 percent year-on-year increase in 2024, reaching over 134.9 million seats. The data, as per agency reports, comes from the latest analysis by the Official Airline Guide (OAG), which ranks IndiGo just behind Qatar Airways, which saw a 10.4 percent rise in seat capacity.
IndiGo has also secured the top position globally in flight frequency growth, recording a 9.7 percent annual increase in 2024. The airline operated 749,156 flights during the year, reflecting its expanding network. OAG further noted that IndiGo currently has one of the world’s largest aircraft orders, with more than 900 planes on order. In 2024 alone, the airline was the largest recipient of new Airbus aircraft, adding 58 planes to its fleet. However, a significant portion of IndiGo's fleet, approximately 80 aircraft, remains grounded due to supply chain issues related to maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services.
IndiGo continues to focus on domestic operations, with 88 percent of its capacity allocated to the Indian market. However, international expansion remains a key part of the airline’s long-term strategy, particularly targeting the Middle East and Thailand markets. The airline is also exploring long-haul, low-cost services and is considering advancing its plans to introduce wet-lease aircraft in 2025 to support this initiative.
In terms of financial performance, IndiGo reported a net profit of ₹2,449 crore for the October-December quarter of the current fiscal year ending March 31, 2025. This marks an 18 percent decline compared to the same period last year. Despite the dip in net profit, the airline’s revenue from operations grew by 14 percent year-on-year, reaching ₹22,111 crore for the quarter.
The airline’s total income for the quarter stood at ₹22,992.8 crore, a 14.6 percent increase from the previous year. However, total expenses surged by 19.9 percent to ₹20,465.7 crore, impacting overall profitability. IndiGo’s load factor for the quarter improved to 86.9 percent, slightly up from 85.8 percent in the corresponding period last year.
With its continued expansion in both domestic and international markets, IndiGo remains a dominant player in the global aviation industry, positioning itself for further growth in the coming years.
