Domestic air traffic up 20 per cent in India

New Delhi: India's domestic air passenger market experienced the highest growth for August, registering almost a 20% rise, even as growth in international traffic slowed.

With a demand growth of 19.7% in August, India was described as "the top performer among domestic markets", according to the latest figures released by the international airlines body, the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

India and Brazil, which was next only to India, together, represented 3% of worldwide air travel, the IATA report said.

In the international segment, passenger demand was up 4.5% over August 2010, but this represented a significant slowing from the 6% recorded in July. Noting that the rate of decline in freight markets accelerated, the IATA said the 3.8% contraction in freight markets in August was "more than double the pace of July's 1.8% decline."

Comparison of August to July data clearly indicated the slowdown, showing that the total passenger market fell by 1.6% in August compared to July. International markets declined by 1.8%, while already weak domestic markets shrank by 1%.

"The industry has shifted gears downward. The pace of growth in passenger markets has dipped and the freight business is now shrinking at a faster pace.