 "SpiceJet's domestic passenger market share drops below Akasa Air in May")
The domestic passenger market share of the cash-strapped SpiceJet airline dropped below the new airline Akasa Air in May after a span of nine months, according to the data released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday.
SpiceJet's domestic passenger market share stood at four per cent in May, compared to Akasa Air which recorded a share of 4.4 per cent in the same month.
SpiceJet carried 554,000 passengers in May, a drop of about 10 per cent month-on-month (MoM). On the other hand, Akasa Air carried 664,000 passengers in May, a jump of about 14.5 per cent MoM.
For the last several quarters, SpiceJet has been grappling with a cash crunch amid multiple legal battles over unpaid dues to aircraft lessors, engine lessors, lenders and former promoter Kalanithi Maran.
Overall, Indian carriers handled 13.79 million domestic passengers in May, recording a 4.4 per cent year-on-year growth. IndiGo, with a share of 61.6 per cent in the domestic market in May, is India's largest carrier.
| SpiceJet's market share dropped below Akasa Air in May after 9 months | ||
| Month | Domestic passenger market share of Akasa Air (in %) | Domestic passenger market share of SpiceJet (in %) |
| Jan-23 | 2.8 | 7.3 |
| Feb-23 | 3 | 7.1 |
| Mar-23 | 3.3 | 6.4 |
| Apr-23 | 4 | 5.8 |
| May-23 | 4.8 | 5.4 |
| Jun-23 | 4.9 | 4.4 |
| Jul-23 | 5.2 | 4.2 |
| Aug-23 | 4.2 | 4.4 |
| Sep-23 | 4.2 | 4.4 |
| Oct-23 | 4.2 | 5 |
| Nov-23 | 4.2 | 6.2 |
| Dec-23 | 4.4 | 5.6 |
| Jan-24 | 4.5 | 5.6 |
| Feb-24 | 4.5 | 5.2 |
| Mar-24 | 4.4 | 5.3 |
| Apr-24 | 4.4 | 4.7 |
| May-24 | 4.8 | 4 |
Source: DGCA