The Indian aviation industry has been a dynamic landscape, witnessing continuous growth and evolving competition among domestic airlines.

As the demand for air travel continues to rebound post-pandemic, understanding the market share of key players becomes imperative for stakeholders, investors, and enthusiasts alike. According to DGCA data, In this article, we will explore the market share and passenger numbers achieved by these carriers. we analyze the key trends shaping the aviation sector in India.

Market share of Scheduled domestic airlines

1. IndiGo: From January to October, IndiGo reached new heights, transporting an impressive 755.35 lakh passengers. IndiGo remains the unrivaled leader in the Indian skies, with a commanding market share of 60.2%, demonstrating efficiency, reliability, and an unwavering commitment to passenger satisfaction.

2. Air India: From January to October, it has successfully carried 118.74 lakh passengers, making it stand out as a beacon of distinction. Air India, which has a 9.5% market share, is recognized as a symbol of dependability, customer service, and a dedication to offering the best possible flying experience.

3. Vistara: In the aviation spotlight from January to October, Vistara dazzled as it carried a remarkable 113.32 lakh passengers. With a market share of 9.0%, Vistara has carved its niche in the skies, offering a seamless blend of luxury and efficiency.

4.AirAsia: set a new record in 2023 by transporting 92.06 lakh passengers from January to October. AirAsia is a dynamic force with a 7.3% market share, providing a seamless blend of innovation and passenger-centric service.

5.SpiceJet: emerged as a dynamic force, carrying a remarkable 68.34 lakh passengers. With a market share of 5.4%, SpiceJet showcases its prowess in offering a seamless and enjoyable travel experience.

6.Akasa Air: has emerged as a rising star, overseeing the seamless journey of nearly 50.91 lakh passengers from January to October. With a market share of 4.1%, Akasa Air is carving its path in the competitive skies, embodying innovation, comfort, and a commitment to elevating the passenger experience.

Airbus SE’s hopes of securing a sizable order at the Dubai Air Show were stopped by Emirates President Tim Clark, who declared that he would not purchase any more of the company’s flagship A350-1000 until engine performance issues were resolved.

Emirates Seeks Assurance on A350 Engine Performance

Clark told reporters during a press conference at the Dubai Air Show, “If they can do that at a maintenance cost per hour, that’s alright for us,” Emirates would order the aircraft.

In regions like the Middle East and India that are hot, dusty, and sandy, engines have unique difficulties. Monday’s opening of the week-long Dubai Airshow was dominated by Emirates’s order for ninety additional Boeing 777X aircraft powered by GE.

Earlier, the Qatar CEO expressed concerns about the poor paint peeling on the A350, raising airworthiness risks. Airbus subsequently addressed and resolved the issue. Now, the Emirates Chief is questioning the engine’s ability to withstand extreme heat, anticipating increased maintenance and downtime challenges.

R-R’s unique supplier engines ensure 2500 cycles

Rolls-Royce has responded, assuring the performance of the Trent XWB-97 engine with the following statement.

“The engine excels in benign operations but faces challenges in sandy, hot conditions, like many modern engines. Rolls-Royce is actively enhancing durability. Emirates considers ordering up to 50 A350-1000 only if R-R’s unique supplier engines ensure 2500 cycles on the wing before maintenance, a significant leap from the current Trent XWB-97 performance.”

Only Rolls Royce Holdings Plc is responsible for building the aircraft, and Clark claimed that until the next maintenance cycle, the engine on the aircraft does not meet the requirements of so-called time on the wing. According to Clark, Emirates is considering purchasing 35 to 50 A350s, which would supplement their current order of 50 A350s of the smaller -900 widebody model.

According to industry sources, Airbus saw a second significant order from Turkish Airlines slip off the show’s agenda when plans for an Emirates A350 order were put on hold for the time being.

The Dubai Airshow 2023 took off yesterday, drawing the attention of numerous airlines seeking new aircraft and an upswing in demand for defense products. Over 200 aircraft, a mix of commercial and defense planes, were on display at the exhibition. Notably, Russia secured its place at the event, making a significant impact with both static and flying displays, capturing the awe of attendees.

Despite facing sanctions due to conflicts with Ukraine and Western countries, Russia boldly demonstrated its strength and self-reliance by participating in the Dubai Airshow. The country showcased its aerospace capabilities, underlining its resilience in the market.

Dubai, known for its unique location and strong bilateral ties, hosts a diverse range of participants. Middle Eastern countries, such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia, maintain strong relations with both Western and Asian countries, including Russia. The Dubai Airshow serves as an ideal platform for international business collaborations.

As one of the world’s premier aircraft exhibitions, the Dubai Airshow facilitates business engagements through product displays and the signing of memoranda of understanding (MOUs). Major players like the United States, Europe, the UK, Russia, India, and China participated in this event, presenting their cutting-edge products.

Despite facing aerospace sanctions, Russia showcased its prowess in defense products and aircraft sales. The United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), representing a significant portion of Russia’s fixed-wing aircraft output, featured products like the Ilyushin Il-76 airlifter. The Su35 aircraft of the Russian Knights display team, along with helicopters from Russian Helicopters, added to the impressive Russian presence.

Notable aircraft on display included the Sukhoi Su-30SM, Su-35S fighters, and various helicopters from Kamov and Mil. However, the Sukhoi 75 2nd 5th gen fighter jet checkmate was notably absent from the airshow. The event continues to be a focal point for aerospace companies, showcasing innovations and instilling confidence in attracting new customers.

In a daring move that has the aviation world buzzing, Russia has soared into the spotlight at the Dubai Airshow, making a captivating entrance despite facing Western sanctions. Against all odds, the nation known for its aerospace prowess has unleashed a display of innovation, resilience, and sheer determination.

Rolls-Royce (LSE: RR., ADR: RYCEY) has achieved a significant milestone by successfully running its UltraFan® technology demonstrator at maximum power in Derby, UK. Notably, the initial test phase utilized 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

UltraFan team has systematically increased its power

This achievement marks a crucial step for the UltraFan demonstrator, previously tested successfully earlier this year. Subsequently, the UltraFan team has systematically increased its power, aligning with expectations. The outcomes of this test are poised to offer valuable insights and data for further analysis by Rolls-Royce teams.

The success underscores confidence in the suite of technologies developed through the UltraFan program. Affirming this capability represents a substantial advancement in enhancing the efficiency of current and future aero-engines.

UltraFan, with its 10% efficiency improvement over the Trent XWB (already the world’s most efficient large aero-engine in service), signifies a remarkable 25% efficiency gain since the inception of the first Trent engine.

Ultrafan’s Ranging from ~25,000-110,000lb thrust

Noteworthy is UltraFan’s scalable technology, ranging from ~25,000-110,000lb thrust, presenting potential applications in powering upcoming narrowbody and widebody aircraft anticipated in the 2030s.

In parallel with the UltraFan development program, Rolls-Royce has identified transferable technologies to enhance the current Trent engines. This strategic move is set to provide customers with heightened availability, reliability, and efficiency.

Embraer is in the process of reassessing the development of the E190-E2 aircraft as a maritime patrol aircraft, marking a pivotal move for the aircraft manufacturer.

This initiative follows in the footsteps of successful models like the Embraer R99 and Embraer Lineage 1000. These aircraft have found diverse applications, with various partners around the world currently utilizing them.

Transforming the E190-E2 into a Maritime Patrol Aircraft

The Brazilian aircraft manufacturer, Embraer, has initiated studies to explore the creation of a maritime patrol version of the E190-E2 airliner. In this regard, they have commenced discussions with potential development partners in foreign countries. This engagement is set to continue during the Dubai Airshow, as confirmed by a senior executive to ShowNews

The Embraer R-99 also recognized as the Embraer EMB 145 AEW&C, represents a Brazilian aircraft primarily engineered for the vital role of airborne early warning and control (AEW&C).

This aircraft is a transformed adaptation of the Embraer EMB 145 regional jet, repurposed to fulfill military surveillance and reconnaissance responsibilities. Here are some significant particulars regarding the Embraer R-99:

The R-99 is grounded on the tried-and-true Embraer EMB 145 regional jet, celebrated for its dependability and excellence in the realm of civil aviation. The primary objective of the Embraer R-99 is to furnish capabilities for airborne early warning and control.

It excels in functions such as surveillance, reconnaissance, and command and control, catering to both military and civilian applications. Equipped with advanced radar and sensor systems, the R-99 can proficiently identify and monitor aircraft, vessels, and a range of targets across extensive areas. This real-time data enhances situational awareness and assists military commanders in orchestrating operations.

At present, the Boeing P8 aircraft also stands as a highly successful maritime aircraft with the capacity to detect detailed information about numerous obstacles through its radar, delivering top-tier monitoring data to the command center. Several countries, including India, Australia, and the United Kingdom, are contemplating the utilization of the Boeing P8.

Embraer Maritime aircraft based on the E190 platform

If Embraer decides to develop a maritime aircraft based on the E190 platform, it will enter the market in close competition with Boeing P8 and Airbus A320. It could potentially play a crucial role in providing cost-effective aircraft with cutting-edge technology.

Presently, the E190-E2 is the most successful aircraft in the commercial segment and has gained a foothold in numerous countries, including Europe, the United States, China, and India.

While it may not command the same level of demand as Boeing and Airbus aircraft in the same segment, it has the potential to gradually gain traction in the market.

One proposed configuration of the aircraft entails a highly modified E190-E2, featuring a nose-mounted radome that is canted downward.

Air India, a leading global airline based in India, has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the world’s first airline to deploy a cutting-edge Generative AI virtual agent named ‘Maharaja.’ This innovative virtual agent is powered by the Azure OpenAI service from Microsoft.

Since its initial launch in March 2023, ‘Maharaja’ has successfully responded to over 500,000 customer queries and currently handles more than 6,000 queries daily in four languages, including Hindi, English, French, and German.

The Maharaja AI Agent serves a broad spectrum of customer queries, encompassing 1,300 different areas, such as flight status, baggage allowances, packing guidelines, check-in procedures, frequent flyer rewards, airport lounge access, flight changes, refunds, and more.

Over 80% of the daily queries are resolved in a matter of seconds

To cater to a diverse global audience, Maharaja has been designed to communicate in four languages, ensuring seamless interactions. Impressively, over 80% of the daily queries are resolved in a matter of seconds, while approximately 15% of customer queries necessitate additional assistance. ‘Maharaja’ automatically identifies these cases and smoothly transitions them to Air India’s contact center agents.

Dr. Satya Ramaswamy, Chief Digital and Technology Officer at Air India, emphasized their commitment to providing an exceptional service experience across various customer touchpoints.

He pointed out a notable shift in customer preferences towards chat interactions powered by Large Language Models, which offer swift and direct access to information and support, as compared to navigating through web pages.

In developing ‘Maharaja,’ Air India has incorporated several patent-pending innovations, combining traditional machine learning techniques with the latest Generative AI to offer a satisfying and effective customer experience. The airline has additional innovations in the pipeline, promising further enhancements in the months ahead.

Generative AI technology by utilizing ChatGPT

Marco Casalaina, Vice President of AI Platform at Microsoft, expressed satisfaction with Air India’s successful deployment of ‘Maharaja’ and praised the use of Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service to provide personalized and relevant customer experiences. He anticipates a new era in customer service, where organizations harness the potential of Generative AI and AI-optimized Azure cloud to deliver efficient and seamless customer experiences.

Air India maximizes Generative AI technology by utilizing ChatGPT to analyze complex queries that it may not immediately address. This data-driven approach allows the virtual agent to learn and improve over time, becoming more adept at natural language understanding.

Air India adopts a strategy that combines traditional machine learning techniques with Generative AI to deliver a compelling customer experience, all while implementing safeguards to prevent biased or harmful language in its AI interactions.

Air India has ambitious plans for the future

In contrast to rule-based or keyword-based chatbots, Generative AI solutions comprehend the intent and context of user queries, generating natural and coherent responses. This enhances user satisfaction, reduces the need for human intervention, and automates repetitive tasks, freeing human agents to focus on more complex interactions.

Air India has ambitious plans for the future, with a host of sophisticated features and personalized experiences driven by patent-pending technologies, including textual and graphical interactions that aim to expedite customer interactions.

Additionally, Air India plans to enhance the AI agent’s personalization capabilities to serve as a reliable personal assistant for all air travel needs, including travel inspiration and seamless booking experiences. Support for more Indian languages is also on the horizon.”