Delhi-based low-cost carrier IndiGo remained the market leader with a 27.3% share in November, according to data released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
The low-cost carrier became the market leader in August and has retained its position so far. National carrier Air India also improved on its position with a market share of 20.7%, beating Jet Airways on a standalone basis, with the latter having a 18.3% share of passengers flying.
On a consolidated basis, the Jet Airways group remains number two, with the combined market share of Jet Airways and Jet Lite being 25.2%.
During November 2012, the number of air passengers fell 7.28% to 50.20 lakh from 54.14 lakh in the same month last year. For January-November 2012, the passenger numbers fell 2.94% to 534.14 lakh from 550.32 lakh in the same period last year.
November being a month of festivals helped increase the seat factors of all airlines. Data from the DGCA revealed that IndiGo flew planes with highest loads of 83.9% in November, an increase of nearly seven percentage points over October 2012. Air India, with 78.6% load factors, was the second highest followed by GoAir with 77.4%, Jet Lite 77.3%, SpiceJet 75.5% and Jet Airways with 73.8%.
In essence, IndiGo and Air India flew planes with more than three-fourths of the seats occupied. Jet Lite and GoAir also flew planes with three-fourth occupancy.
In terms of on-time performance, Air India had only 67.9% flights taking off on time, the lowest among all airlines.
Market leader IndiGo also set the benchmark in terms of on-time performance with 93% of its flights taking off on time.
Jet Airways and Jet Lite combined had nearly 85% flights taking off on time; SpiceJet had 82% and Go Air was slightly better than Air India at 77.4%.