ET Graphics: Indian skies lose altitude as August air traffic falls and West Asia risks mount

August domestic air passenger traffic fell 6.34% from a year earlier to 12.12 million, according to DGCA data. Passenger traffic for the first eight months of 2026 stood at 110.53 million, marginally below the 110.72 million recorded in the same period last year.

“Any prolonged continuation or further escalation of the West Asian conflict could result in downside risks to ICRA’s traffic growth forecasts, yields and profitability, owing to potential persistence of elevated fuel prices, airspace restrictions and inflationary pressures.” — ICRA