When my Editor asked me to write about Indian civil aviation in 2022 and beyond, I told him statistics were available online and another article was unnecessary.

He clarified he wanted some insights straight from the heart of an insider. So here we go.

Successive waves of the pandemic that had paralysed aviation the world over, finally abated in 2022 and passenger traffic began to show a healthy rise.  

Passenger numbers in India are now close to pre-covid levels; and some airlines and airports have recorded the highest traffic ever in a single day. 

Employee salaries in India are rising too, but are yet to catch up with pre-covid levels. 

And that is causing a massive efflux of trained personnel, both pilots and technicians, to the airlines in the Gulf.

The biggest news for Indian aviation in 2022 was the Tata Group buying Air India from the Government. 

Although they signed the agreement in January, the takeover was gradual, leading to a consolidation that is still underway.

To my surprise, GOI still owns Alliance Air. And I cannot say why.  

BCCL/Representational Image

Till the Tatas took off, Indigo was the most dominant domestic airline. But now, with the merging of smaller carriers, and many planes on order, Air India will soon be a worthy challenger, which is good for the passengers.

Air India will operate domestic and international flights, both in low cost and full-service segments.

Indigo, meanwhile, is expanding its footprint with…