NEW DELHI: With dozens of aircraft grounded and a big airline like GoAir collapsing, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) last year allowed Indian carriers to wet lease (without operating crew) 21 aircraft to keep airfares in check in face a severe capacity crunch. As a result, the 16 big and small scheduled Indian carriers had 771 planes on December 31, 2023, the DGCA said in a statement Thursday.
“During 2023, scheduled (Indian) operators inducted 112 aircraft in their fleet against 81 aircraft inducted in 2022, which is an increase of 38%. Taking into account the 21 wet/damp lease aircraft, the total induction of aircraft stands at 133 as against the corresponding figure of 88 in the previous year 2022, which represents a significant increase of 51% over the previous year, thereby augmenting capacity in a growing aviation market.
This has helped in achieving the twin outcomes of enhanced network coverage giving a boost to connectivity and comparatively lower fares during the festive season to the overall benefit of passengers,” the statement said.
With a large number of aircraft deliveries expected this year, the DGCA says it “is suitably enhancing its regulatory capacity to further speed up the regulatory approvals related to the induction of aircraft.”
“During 2023, scheduled (Indian) operators inducted 112 aircraft in their fleet against 81 aircraft inducted in 2022, which is an increase of 38%. Taking into account the 21 wet/damp lease aircraft, the total induction of aircraft stands at 133 as against the corresponding figure of 88 in the previous year 2022, which represents a significant increase of 51% over the previous year, thereby augmenting capacity in a growing aviation market.
This has helped in achieving the twin outcomes of enhanced network coverage giving a boost to connectivity and comparatively lower fares during the festive season to the overall benefit of passengers,” the statement said.
With a large number of aircraft deliveries expected this year, the DGCA says it “is suitably enhancing its regulatory capacity to further speed up the regulatory approvals related to the induction of aircraft.”
