According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), India's domestic air passenger volume measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK) was the highest among major aviation markets like Australia, Brazil, China, Japan, Russia and the US.
As per data, India's domestic RPK in the month under review rose by 16.6 per cent in May compared to the corresponding month of the previous year.
However, on a sequential basis the growth had come down from April's rise of 25.7 per cent.
"India's domestic traffic rose 16.6 per cent year-over-year, which was down from 25.7 per cent in April. Passenger volumes in India have fallen back in seasonally-adjusted terms in recent months alongside some mixed signals on the economic front," IATA said in its global passenger traffic results for May 2018.
"Notwithstanding this, May was India's 45th consecutive month of double-digit annual RPK growth. Demand continues to be supported by strong growth in the number of airport connections within the country: some 22 per cent more airport-pairs are scheduled to operate in 2018 compared to last year."
India's domestic passenger traffic growth was followed by that of China at 11.9 per cent and Russian Federation at 8.6 per cent.
In terms of capacity, India's domestic available seat kilometres (ASK) -- which measures available passenger capacity -- climbed higher by 18 per cent in May, followed by that of China's 12.5 per cent growth and Russian Federation at 7.5 per cent.
--IANS<br>rv/him/vm
Goel leads march to save old Delhi’s heritage
Old Delhi's iconic Chandni Chowk market place and adjoining heritage buildings would soon become unrecognisable because of the city government's apathy, Goel said.
"In coming days, it will become hard to recognise Chandni Chowk as the area has become a victim of underdevelopment," said Goel, who has represented Chandni Chowk for two terms in the Lok Sabha in the past.
Goel also attacked the BJP-ruled Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for allegedly allowing illegal constructions in the Chandini Chowk area.
The Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation said that the famous structures of historical significance had been allowed to turn into "commercial complexes or residential buildings".
Accompanied by around 50 Bharatiya Janata Party workers, who shouted slogans of "Save Heritage-Save Chandni Chowk", Goel criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for "not allowing development in our area".
"Instead of providing good governance in Delhi, they only know how to protest."
--IANS<br>sm/sar/tsb/vm