Air Deccan is second-largest domestic carrier once again

Mumbai: Air Deccan has once again overtaken state-owned Indian (formerly Indian Airlines) in 2006, as the country's second-largest domestic carrier. Preliminary figures released by the ministry of civil aviation show that the low-cost carrier's market share for the peak months of November and December stood at 19.7 per cent and 19.8 per cent respectively against 19 per cent for Indian.

According to The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) low-cost carriers in the country have been steadily expanding their market shares over the past year, with their collective share for December 2006 standing at 32 per cent as compared to over 20.8 per cent at the start of the year. CAPA also says that full service airlines are now losing market share to low-cost carriers by 1.5 percentage points every month.

CAPA projections show that low cost carrier market share in India will reach 70 per cent by 2010, making it one of the world's leading low-cost carrier markets in terms of market penetration. It also said that the overall passenger market has grown by 47 per cent in the year to November, representing nearly 29 million passengers.

Air Deccan currently operates the largest route network in the country, covering 61 airports, as compared to its nearest rivals, Jet Airways, which connects 46 airports and Indian 43.