Domestic airlines carried 58.22 lakh passengers during September this year, an increase of close to 28 per cent over the 45.55 lakh passengers flown during the same period last year.
Releasing the latest passenger traffic data, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said that the increase in the number of passengers was due to the on-going festive season. IndiGo, the Delhi-based low-cost airline, remained the market leader with 19.07 lakh passengers during the month followed by SpiceJet (10.82 lakh).
Jet Airways, with 9.72 lakh passengers, took the number three spot, ahead of Air India which carried 9.67 lakh passengers. September broke a six-month spell of Air India carrying more passengers than Jet Airways in the domestic market.
The total amount paid by all the airlines as compensation and facilities to over 10, 000 passengers affected cancellations was ₹58.50 lakhs . For the 935 passengers who were denied boarding during September this year, a total of ₹27.59 lakhs was paid as compensation.