IndiGo leads international passenger traffic, overtaking Air India in Q2 FY26: DGCA
IndiGo has emerged as India’s largest international airline by passenger numbers, overtaking Air India and Air India Express during the July–September 2025 quarter, according to data released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
The data shows that IndiGo carried a total of 41.36 lakh international passengers during the quarter. Of these, 19.88 lakh passengers arrived in India, while 21.47 lakh passengers departed from the country on IndiGo flights.
In comparison, Air India carried 11.79 lakh passengers into India and 11.97 lakh passengers out of the country during the same period. Air India Express recorded 8.08 lakh arrivals and 9.13 lakh departures. Even when combined, the international passenger traffic of the Air India group remained lower than IndiGo’s standalone numbers.
The shift in market leadership follows a reduction in Air India’s international flight operations after a fatal aircraft accident in June. The crash occurred on June 12, when an Air India aircraft went down shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, killing 260 people, including passengers, crew members, and people on the ground.
Following the accident, Air India curtailed several international services, leading to a temporary reduction in capacity on key overseas routes. IndiGo moved quickly to fill this gap by increasing frequencies and deploying additional capacity on high-demand international sectors.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) later released a preliminary report into the crash, stating that both engines of the aircraft shut down unexpectedly during the initial climb phase, resulting in a loss of thrust and a rapid descent. The investigation into the accident is still ongoing.
Meanwhile, IndiGo, which had recently faced operational challenges and flight disruptions, has stabilised its operations. The airline is currently operating over 2,050 daily flights, with minimal cancellations, and continues to maintain connectivity across domestic and international routes.
The latest DGCA data highlights how quickly market dynamics can shift in the aviation sector, especially in response to operational disruptions and changes in airline capacity.