Air passengers in India
India: Air passengers was 180.42 million in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
180.42 million
Change on year
up 28.9%
World rank
4th
of 183 countries
All-time high
180.42 million
in 2023
All-time low
2.55 million
in 1971
Years of data
54
1970–2023
Air passengers in India, 1970–2023
Source: International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for air passengers in India is 180.42 million, measured in 2023. That is the highest value across all 54 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 28.9% on the previous year and up 138.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, air passengers in India peaked at 180.42 million in 2023 and was at its lowest, 2.55 million, in 1971.
That places India 4th out of 183 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Air passengers in India, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 2.67 million | — |
| 1971 | 2.55 million | -4.4% |
| 1972 | 3.29 million | +28.7% |
| 1973 | 3.39 million | +3.2% |
| 1974 | 3.04 million | -10.4% |
| 1975 | 3.84 million | +26.4% |
| 1976 | 4.53 million | +18.1% |
| 1977 | 5.15 million | +13.5% |
| 1978 | 6.10 million | +18.5% |
| 1979 | 6.55 million | +7.3% |
| 1980 | 6.60 million | +0.9% |
| 1981 | 7.57 million | +14.7% |
| 1982 | 8.39 million | +10.8% |
| 1983 | 9.16 million | +9.2% |
| 1984 | 10.13 million | +10.5% |
| 1985 | 10.99 million | +8.6% |
| 1986 | 11.79 million | +7.2% |
| 1987 | 12.67 million | +7.5% |
| 1988 | 12.86 million | +1.5% |
| 1989 | 12.74 million | -1.0% |
| 1990 | 10.86 million | -14.7% |
| 1991 | 10.72 million | -1.3% |
| 1992 | 11.13 million | +3.8% |
| 1993 | 9.44 million | -15.1% |
| 1994 | 11.52 million | +22.0% |
| 1995 | 14.26 million | +23.8% |
| 1996 | 13.39 million | -6.1% |
| 1997 | 16.04 million | +19.7% |
| 1998 | 16.52 million | +3.0% |
| 1999 | 16.01 million | -3.1% |
| 2000 | 17.30 million | +8.1% |
| 2001 | 16.86 million | -2.5% |
| 2002 | 17.63 million | +4.6% |
| 2003 | 19.46 million | +10.3% |
| 2004 | 23.93 million | +23.0% |
| 2005 | 27.88 million | +16.5% |
| 2006 | 40.29 million | +44.5% |
| 2007 | 51.90 million | +28.8% |
| 2008 | 49.88 million | -3.9% |
| 2009 | 54.45 million | +9.2% |
| 2010 | 64.37 million | +18.2% |
| 2011 | 74.00 million | +14.9% |
| 2012 | 72.15 million | -2.5% |
| 2013 | 75.59 million | +4.8% |
| 2014 | 82.72 million | +9.4% |
| 2015 | 98.93 million | +19.6% |
| 2016 | 119.58 million | +20.9% |
| 2017 | 139.75 million | +16.9% |
| 2018 | 164.04 million | +17.4% |
| 2019 | 167.50 million | +2.1% |
| 2020 | 68.96 million | -58.8% |
| 2021 | 83.96 million | +21.8% |
| 2022 | 140.00 million | +66.7% |
| 2023 | 180.42 million | +28.9% |
India compared with similar countries
- India's 180.42 million is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 690,677, 261.2× the median. (45 countries reporting)
- India's 180.42 million is above the median for South Asia, which is 4.08 million, 44.2× the median. (6 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 4.11 million | 2.55 million | 6.55 million | 10 |
| 1980s | 10.29 million | 6.60 million | 12.86 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 12.99 million | 9.44 million | 16.52 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 31.96 million | 16.86 million | 54.45 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 105.86 million | 64.37 million | 167.50 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 118.33 million | 68.96 million | 180.42 million | 4 |
Countries ranked near India
More reference data data for India
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 20.88 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 68.88 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 246.78 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 15.62 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 246.78 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 70.02 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 19.71 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 309.05 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 1,063 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 85.03 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is air passengers in India?
- Air passengers in India was 180.42 million in 2023, according to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest air passengers recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 180.42 million in 2023.
- What is the lowest air passengers recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.55 million in 1971.
- How does India rank for air passengers?
- India ranks 4th out of 183 countries with data for 2023.
- Is air passengers rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is up 138.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this India data come from?
- The figures come from International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Air passengers. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 54 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Domestic and international passengers of airlines registered in the country. Passengers counted each time they travel.