The Delhi-Mumbai-Delhi route, a bustling air corridor, is the busiest in India, often ranking among the top busiest globally. This iconic route has witnessed a surge in passenger traffic, making it a vital link between India’s two major commercial hubs. However, despite its popularity, the expansion of frequencies on this route has stalled due to a congested Mumbai airport and a focus on expanding connectivity to other destinations.
Airlines have responded to the demand by deploying larger aircraft with increased seating capacity. IndiGo now uses the A321neo for its flights, while Air India deploys its widebody B777 and B787 aircraft on select frequencies. Data from Cirium, an aviation analytics company, reveals that there are 22,854 weekly departures for a standard week next month across 1,126 sectors in the country.
On average, there are 55 daily flights between Delhi and Mumbai, with six airlines operating on this route. This translates to a whopping 384 scheduled flights per week, each way, making it the busiest route in India, not only in terms of frequencies but also in terms of deployed seats. Approximately 10,860 seats are deployed between the two cities each way, daily.
In terms of frequencies, Delhi-Mumbai boasts 46% more frequencies than Delhi-Bengaluru, the second busiest route in the country. The route also enjoys a 41% lead in seat capacity over Delhi-Bengaluru.
IndiGo, with its 135 weekly flights each way, is the largest carrier on the route, commanding a 35% frequency share and a 40% seat share. IndiGo’s dominant position is attributed to its all-economy aircraft fleet, which allows for a higher number of seats per departure compared to full-service carriers.
Vistara, with a 30% frequency share, occupies the second position, followed by Air India with a 21.6% frequency share. They operate 117 and 83 weekly flights each way, respectively.
The dynamics of the route are set to change significantly in November. On November 12, as Vistara merges with Air India, the latter will have 200 weekly departures each way, pushing IndiGo to the second spot and securing a clear lead in frequencies and seat capacity. Two days later, on November 14, IndiGo will launch its new business class offering, IndiGoStretch, targeting premium passengers and aiming to compete with Air India’s offerings.
Analyzing Flight Patterns:
For flights from Mumbai to Delhi, the busiest periods are between 0700 and 0759 hours, with five departures. Similarly, between 1900 and 1959 hours, there are five departures, with three departures to Delhi at 1900 hours – one each by IndiGo, Air India, and Akasa Air.
Interestingly, there are no flights to Mumbai from Delhi between midnight and 0145 hours, 1300 and 1400 hours, and 0300 and 0400 hours. However, there are five departures each between 1900 and 2000 hours and 2000 and 2100 hours.
Air India has a legacy of on-the-hour departures between the two cities, with current departures at 0700, 0800, 0900, 1000, 1600, 1800, 1900, and 2100 hours from Mumbai to Delhi. IndiGo is catching up with five such departures between Mumbai and Delhi. On the Delhi-Mumbai route, IndiGo has eight hourly departures, while Air India has six.
Widebody Experience on Domestic Routes:
Air India typically operates two of its 12 frequencies with widebody aircraft, one on the B777-300ER and another on the 787 Dreamliner. For passengers seeking a widebody experience on a short domestic sector, this route offers an exciting opportunity. Moreover, passengers may have the chance to deplane from the right-hand door if the aircraft is scheduled for an international flight after the domestic leg. This practice ensures the aircraft’s sterility and allows for customs checks.
The Future of the Route:
With the upcoming new airports in Navi Mumbai and Noida International Airport at Jewar, the route’s dynamics will change further. These new airports will provide additional capacity and create new city pairs, including Navi Mumbai-Delhi, Navi Mumbai-Noida, and vice versa. This expansion will undoubtedly impact the market and present new opportunities for airlines.
IndiGo, despite its strong presence, will face competition from the combined forces of Air India and the Tata group of airlines. However, IndiGo remains dominant in seven out of the top 10 sectors within India, even after Vistara’s merger with Air India. The only obstacle to IndiGo’s continued success or Air India’s dominance could be supply chain constraints.
The future of the Delhi-Mumbai route is bright, with exciting developments on the horizon. As new airports come online and competition intensifies, the route is poised to further solidify its position as India’s busiest air corridor. The battle for dominance will be fierce, with airlines vying for passengers and market share, ensuring a dynamic and ever-evolving landscape for air travel in India.
