India Is Now a Top 3 Global Aviation Market — 5 Takeaways from its Rapid Rise

India’s place in global aviation is no longer a potential, it’s a reality. And what’s fueling it? Booming domestic demand, a young fleet, and international ambitions.

India is now the world’s third-largest aviation market, a milestone that has been highlighted in a new report released Sunday by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

India’s 174 million passengers in 2024 accounted for 4.2% of global air traffic, compared to China’s 16.7% and over 18% for the U.S. While that marks a major leap, more than double India’s passenger volume from just over a decade ago — the gap with the top two markets remains significant.

Still, the runway ahead is long: IATA projects India’s annual passenger traffic to triple by 2044, reaching 425 million journeys per year.

But as the report makes clear, the real story isn’t just in the