India Domestic Air Passenger Traffic Surges to Over One Hundred and Sixty Million with Growth Despite Major Operational Disruptions: Everything You Need to Know

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) reported that Indian scheduled airlines registered a strong recovery in domestic aircraft operations for the 2025 calendar year, with airlines transporting 166.946 million domestic passengers. This marks a 3.48% increase in the number of domestic passengers transported compared to the 161.331 million passengers in the calendar year 2024. This demonstrates that there is continuing demand for travel for both business and leisure within the country’s domestic aviation network, despite the operational challenges faced towards the end of the year that affected travel.

Travel Increased Despite Annual Slowdown

There has been an increase in completed domestic operations for airlines in the 2025 calendar year. The month of December experienced an overall month-over-month decline. Approximately 14.30 million passengers used domestic airlines in December. This represents a 4.14% decline compared to the previous month due to airline scheduling and service interruptions caused by one of the largest domestic airline operators in India. Several airline operators and airports have indicated that systematic scheduling between major urban air travel routes contributed to a significant decrease in travel.

Annual Passenger Growth Corresponds with Government Aviation Trends

Passenger count increases each year, with the Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s Civil Aviation Statistics confirming upward trends every January, February, March, and April, as well as multiple times throughout the year, including July, August, and September (Monsoon). Even with a downward trend in some months, such as March and April, the Ministry of Civil Aviation consistently provides data listings of flight data for the year and months. Passenger and flight data utilization/system usage have increased consistently throughout the duration of the year.

Further Strategic Placements of Competitor Airlines

Market shares of airlines in the domestic segment changed until the end of 2025. The largest domestic market share airline was predicted to gain market share in December, while other airlines with less than half of the market share were predicted to gain operational momentum. This explains the fluid conditions based on the market dynamics.

Disruptive Operations Impact on Passenger Experience for December

December 2025 travelers were impacted by operational delays and inconsistencies, with thousands of them complaining about service problems and flight changes. Airlines were operationally challenged, with increased operational expenses to mitigate customer dissatisfaction by providing support to travelers during the operational chaos during the high volume of travelers, demonstrating the operational challenges faced.

Focus on Airline Adjustments and Passenger Rights

The latter part of 2025 saw a growing focus on measures to assist passengers, including payment and compensation measures, as well as airlines’ attempts to secure service scheduling stability. Some operators took steps to strengthen crew availability and flight reliability into early 2026 through deliberate staffing ratios and operational protocols, aimed at decreasing trip reliability volatility during peak periods of domestic travel.

Annual Trends in Domestic Air Travel Mirror Overall Market Expansion

Independent sector projections indicate growing passenger traffic for all domestic and international markets, confirming the industry-wide expansion. Each of the aviation data platforms and the civil aviation regulator of India have shown the same domestic travel demand trends and predict continued growth, driven by the economically upward-moving middle-class travel tier, resulting in sustained traffic.

Traffic Growth and Infrastructure Improvements and Regional Connectivity

The expansion of air traffic is in tandem with the construction, networked, and improved airports and major regional connectivity under national-level networked construction initiatives, yielding growth in key hub regions such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. The coordinated growth of networked flight routes and improved airports in these major regions facilitates domestic travel in India and supports the growing demand for travel.

Forecasts for Growth of Domestic Aviation Until 2026 and Further

Experts remain positive for the next few years, forecasting an increase in the number of domestic air passengers, despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Analysts of domestic air traffic forecast a strong and consistent increase in traffic with the uplift in economic activities and an increase in travel demand.

Forecasts for the next few years show persistent positive growth for India’s domestic air travel market. India now has the ability to place strong and positive growth forecasts for 2026 and beyond, positioning itself as the center of aviation development on the entire continent, with rapid connectivity development across the subcontinent.

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Kolkata Airport Hit by TWO Bomb Threats in a Single Day, Chaos Strikes Dibrugarh Flight After Lipstick Message — Passengers Evacuated, Hoax Revealed!

In a shocking turn of events, Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport witnessed two bomb scares in a single day on 14th February 2026, involving IndiGo Airlines flights. The highly unusual series of incidents left travelers and aviation officials on edge, but fortunately, no injuries were reported, and both situations were ultimately declared hoaxes after thorough security investigations.

The chaos began early in the day when a bomb threat note was found on an IndiGo flight scheduled to fly from Kolkata to Shillong. The threat led to immediate action from airport authorities, who swiftly deplaned passengers and moved the aircraft to a designated isolation bay for further inspection. Despite the grave nature of the threat, the aircraft was cleared after a comprehensive sweep, and it eventually took off, albeit delayed.

However, just hours later, Kolkata airport was once again thrust into turmoil when a second bomb scare was reported, this time on an IndiGo flight that had just arrived from Dibrugarh, Assam. This new threat, which involved a message written in lipstick inside one of the aircraft’s toilets, led to another round of emergency procedures, but fortunately, no explosive devices were found.

First Bomb Scare: The Shillong Flight

The day started with a sense of urgency when IndiGo flight 6E 7304, bound for Shillong, was forced to make an unscheduled halt at Kolkata airport after a bomb threat was discovered in the form of a handwritten note found in the plane’s lavatory. The alarming message led to an immediate evacuation of all passengers and crew members.

The aircraft was moved to an isolated part of the airport for safety, where bomb detection units and local authorities meticulously combed through every inch of the plane. Passengers, now visibly shaken but grateful for the timely evacuation, were kept in the terminal for several hours while the aircraft was thoroughly inspected. Despite the high level of concern, the inspection ultimately revealed that the bomb threat was nothing more than a hoax.

Aviation authorities issued a statement confirming that no hazardous material or explosives were found on the aircraft, allowing the flight to resume its journey to Shillong after the security protocol was completed. No injuries were reported, and the incident, though unsettling, ended without further incident.

Second Bomb Scare: Dibrugarh Flight on the Receiving End

Barely a few hours later, another bomb threat hoax sent shockwaves through the airport when a second IndiGo flight—this time from Dibrugarh, Assam—was the subject of a disturbing alert. The flight 6E 6894 had just touched down at Kolkata when the aircraft crew reported discovering a suspicious note written with lipstick in one of the toilets.

This time, the threat appeared even more unusual. Security teams rushed to the scene to follow standard procedure for bomb threats. The plane was immediately escorted to a secluded area away from active gates, and the process of evacuating passengers began as airport authorities took every precaution to ensure safety.

The passengers were deboarded and placed in a secure waiting area, while aviation officials worked diligently to check every inch of the aircraft. As the seconds ticked by, it became clear that this was another false alarm, as no bomb or dangerous materials were discovered during the extensive security sweep. The situation was eventually declared a hoax, and the passengers were allowed to reboard, though the flight was delayed significantly.

Once the aircraft was cleared, the flight proceeded as scheduled, leaving Dibrugarh travelers to reflect on the strange and disconcerting turn of events. Even though the incidents were ultimately deemed harmless, the day left a significant mark on Kolkata airport’s operations.

Aviation Safety Protocols in Action

Both bomb scares triggered the immediate activation of Kolkata’s stringent aviation security protocols, which are designed to ensure that every potential threat is taken seriously. Despite the false nature of both threats, the security measures followed to investigate each situation were comprehensive and effective.

As is typical with bomb scares, all standard safety measures were enforced:

• Aircraft isolation and removal from active gates
• Passenger deplaning and relocation to secure areas
• Full security sweeps by bomb detection teams and local law enforcement
• Continuous communication between airport authorities, the Airports Authority of India (AAI), and aviation regulators

While incidents like these are unnerving for passengers, they also highlight the vigilance and preparedness of Indian airports and law enforcement in addressing potential threats to aviation safety.

The Impact on Airport Operations and Passengers

For those traveling on the affected flights, the disruptions caused by the bomb threats resulted in considerable delays and an overall sense of uncertainty. Passengers on both flights were understandably distressed by the security incidents, with many expressing concern about the safety of air travel in the wake of the hoaxes.

The bomb scare at Kolkata airport not only led to delays but also heightened tensions among travelers, many of whom were left anxious and questioning how serious the threats were. Authorities, however, were quick to reassure the public that all safety protocols were followed rigorously and that no passengers were ever in imminent danger.

Reassurance from Authorities

Aviation authorities in Kolkata and the Ministry of Civil Aviation have since expressed their commitment to ensuring the highest levels of safety in the wake of the bomb scares. In a statement, the Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) reiterated that while bomb threats are taken with the utmost seriousness, they are also cautious in ensuring swift investigations to maintain the integrity of aviation operations.

Kolkata’s airport has heightened its security measures, and passengers have been encouraged to report any suspicious activities immediately. Authorities also indicated that investigations into the source of the bomb threats are ongoing, with forensic teams and law enforcement agencies working closely to uncover the individuals responsible for the hoaxes.

Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Aviation Safety

While both bomb threats at Kolkata airport turned out to be false alarms, they serve as a stark reminder of the constant vigilance required in modern-day aviation. The quick and efficient response by Kolkata airport’s security teams ensured the safety of passengers and minimized disruptions, but the emotional toll on travelers was still significant.

As Kolkata airport and aviation officials continue to probe these hoaxes, the incidents underscore the importance of maintaining strict security protocols and remaining prepared for any eventuality. The public is reminded that while threats may sometimes be false, the safety of passengers and crew members remains the top priority for airports and aviation authorities alike.

In the future, the focus will remain on strengthening aviation security and ensuring that every flight remains as safe as possible, despite the challenges posed by false alarms and hoaxes in an increasingly uncertain world.

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